New York Sculptures
The French government commissioned Bartholdi to create a sculpture of the Marquis de Lafayette as a gift to America for its support during the Franco-Prussian War. The sculpture shows Lafayette offering his heart and his sword to the colonists fighting in the American Revolution. Bartholdi’s sculpture of Lafayette was unveiled in Union Square, New York City on September 6, 1876. A four-hour multinational parade was held as part of the celebration.
Joseph Pulitzer, publisher of the “New York World” commissioned Bartholdi to design a sculpture of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette as a gift to France. It was unveiled in Paris in 1895. In 1900, a replica was made public in Morningside Park, New York City.
Courtesy hmdb.org
