Liberty Illuminating The World, The Statue Of Liberty
There are numerous artistic exhibitions all over the world that are widely publicized in the media due to their appearance and what they represent. Among the modern icons of popular culture, the exquisite Statue of Liberty in New York stands out. Her fame has made her not only the goddess of the mouth of the Hudson River, but also a symbol in the United States.
The Statue of Liberty , more than a monument
This beautiful statue, almost a hundred meters high, towers over an island near Manhattan, guarding the ocean. Armed with a torch and the American Declaration of Independence, she undaunted oppression and tyranny.
Since its inception in 1886, Miss Liberty has been an emblem of the values that America represents to American citizens. The carving, initially made of iron and copper, served as a New York lighthouse for years. In this way, he guided European emigrants to the land of the free in search of opportunities.
History of an icon
The construction of the Statue of Liberty was to commemorate the centennial of American independence, which was celebrated in 1876. However, the work would be delayed for 10 years. France wanted to make a gift to the American nation and commissioned the project to the architect Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. It was he who chose Gustave Eiffel as his engineer to create the internal structure of the effigy.
The construction of the statue took more work than expected, so the image had to be manufactured in parts. All of them arrived in New York City on June 17, 1886. And it would still take four more months to assemble.
The construction of the base was carried out by the United States government, which had to raise funds with the help of Joseph Pulitzer. Finally, on October 28, 1886, Liberty Illuminating the World, the real name of the well-known image, was inaugurated.
Appearance of the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty represents a standing woman, dressed in a robe and a seven-cornered crown. In his right hand he brandishes a torch, while in his left he holds a board against his torso. The image leans slightly to the left, resting its weight on that leg, balanced.
His facial features are classic, with a calm gesture. The female rests on a square pedestal, supported in turn by an eleven-pointed star. At the foot of the structure are broken chains. The skeleton was built in iron and covered with copper, but remodeling work changed it to stainless steel.
The flames are lined with gold foil. The total height from the base to the torch is 93 meters and it weighs more than 25,000 tons. It is declared a World Heritage Site and receives millions of visitors annually.
Symbology present
There are features of great symbolism in the Statue of Liberty. This modern colossus wears a crown reminiscent of the diadem of the Greek god Helios, personification of the Sun. Like him, this statue with clear classicist features illuminates the path to liberation with its torch.
The seven peaks in the crown represent the seven continents. The table that rests in his hand evokes the law or the right. The date of the Declaration of Independence of the United States is engraved on it as a symbol of the nation’s freedom. The broken chains at the feet finish off the idea.
The image is oriented to the east, towards Europe, a continent with which it shares history and values. At the bottom, there is also a plaque with the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus engraved. This thus evokes one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.
Redoubled security
Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, the Statue of Liberty closed its doors to the public. Access to the structure was prohibited for three years and the crown did not open its doors until after eight.
For security reasons, visitors are controlled at the accesses to the island, thus avoiding possible incidents. In addition, access to the interior of the statue and the crown is very restricted, so it is advisable to purchase tickets well in advance.
