Before the Statue of Liberty became a symbol of freedom in New York Harbor, she was carefully crafted in Paris. Gifted by the French to celebrate America’s centennial, the statue was a tribute to liberty and democracy. Let’s step inside the Paris workshop where history was made.
The Vision Behind the Statue
The Statue of Liberty was born from an idea of friendship and shared values. In 1865, Édouard René de Laboulaye, a French politician, suggested creating a gift to celebrate America’s commitment to liberty after the Civil War.
He envisioned something grand that would symbolize freedom and democracy.
To bring this idea to life, he chose sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who was known for his monumental works. Bartholdi imagined a colossal figure of a woman holding a torch high in the air, guiding people toward freedom.
He began by making small models to refine the design, experimenting with her pose, face, and details like her crown and torch.
These early models were crafted in his Parisian studio, where he worked tirelessly to perfect her form.
The Statue’s Parts on Display at the 1878 Paris World’s Fair
In 1878, parts of the Statue of Liberty were proudly exhibited at the Paris World’s Fair (Exposition Universelle). At this event, Bartholdi showcased key elements of the statue to generate excitement and support for the project.
Visitors were amazed by the colossal scale of these pieces, which included the head and the torch-bearing arm.
The head, displayed in a garden, allowed Parisians and international visitors to walk up close and admire the intricate details of Lady Liberty’s face. The torch was also prominently displayed, giving viewers a sense of the statue’s size and the craftsmanship involved.
This partial display was a smart move by Bartholdi. It not only demonstrated the progress of the project but also helped secure funding and build anticipation for the final assembly.
The 1878 exhibition gave the public a glimpse of what would soon become a global icon.
The Parisian Workshop
Once the design was finalized, the real work started at the Gaget, Gauthier & Co. workshop in Paris. This was no ordinary workshop—it was a massive space designed for large-scale projects.
The artisans began by creating wooden molds of the statue’s various sections. Sheets of copper, chosen for its durability and flexibility, were then hammered into these molds. It was a process called repoussé, where the copper was shaped from the inside out. Workers used mallets and chisels to carefully craft each piece of the statue’s skin.
Each copper sheet was unique and had to fit perfectly with the others. The artisans worked on everything from her flowing robe to the spikes of her crown. The workshop was buzzing with activity as dozens of workers brought Lady Liberty to life.
The Framework by Gustave Eiffel
The statue’s copper skin was beautiful but fragile. It needed a strong internal structure to hold it up and protect it from wind and weather. Gustave Eiffel, already known for his work on the Eiffel Tower, was hired to solve this challenge.
Eiffel’s team designed a flexible iron framework that could support the statue while allowing the copper skin to expand and contract with changes in temperature. This innovative design was revolutionary at the time. He used iron beams and a series of metal supports that connected to the copper panels, creating a structure that was both sturdy and lightweight.
Thanks to Eiffel’s engineering genius, Lady Liberty could withstand the harsh conditions of New York Harbor. Without his framework, the statue would not have been possible.
Assembling the Statue in Paris
Before the statue was sent to America, it had to be fully assembled in Paris to ensure that every piece fit together perfectly. This process took months of careful work.
The head, arms, torso, and legs were built separately, then connected like a giant 3D puzzle.
Bartholdi supervised the assembly closely, making adjustments as needed to ensure the statue looked exactly as he had envisioned. Workers climbed on scaffolding around the structure, testing the fit of the copper skin over Eiffel’s iron framework.
The result was breathtaking—a 46-meter-tall masterpiece standing in the middle of Paris.
Parisians were stunned to see this enormous statue take shape. It was unlike anything they had ever seen before.
Preparing for the Journey to New York
It was time to send Lady Liberty to her new home.
The statue had to be carefully taken apart into over 300 pieces. Each section was labeled so it could be reassembled correctly in New York. Workers packed these pieces into 214 wooden crates, ensuring that every part was protected for the long journey.
The crates were loaded onto the French frigate Isère, which carried them across the Atlantic. The shipment took several weeks, and when it arrived in New York, the pieces were greeted with excitement and celebration.
Lady Liberty was finally home.
Parisian Legacy of the Statue of Liberty
Today, Paris remembers its role in creating the Statue of Liberty with several landmarks.
A smaller replica of the statue stands on Île aux Cygnes, a tiny island in the Seine River. This replica faces west, toward New York, symbolizing the enduring friendship between France and the United States.
Inside the Musée d’Orsay, visitors can see original models and designs used by Bartholdi. These pieces give a glimpse into the creativity and effort behind the project.
Related read: Paris Has 6 Statues of Liberty of Its Own. Here’s Where to Find Them
With a passion for travel and having visited over 50 countries, Dorian is eager to share his favorite spots and expert tips to help you explore Paris and France like a local.
