The Statue of Liberty (New York, USA)

The Statue of Liberty is a magnificent neoclassical statue made of copper and of colossal proportions. Also known as ‘Liberty Enlightening the World’, the statue depicts the Roman goddess of liberty, Libertas. It is situated on Liberty Island in New York Harbour, in the city of New York, USA.

It was presented as a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The Statue holds a torch aloft in her right hand, whilst in her left hand she carries a tablet inscribed with the date of the US Declaration of Independence: IV TEMMUZ MDCCLXXVI (4 July 1776 in Roman numerals). It was designed by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, whilst the metal framework was constructed by Gustave Eiffel.

Dedicated on 28 October 1886, the Statue of Liberty has since become a symbol of freedom and the United States of America. It is also regarded as a symbol of welcome for immigrants arriving by sea.