ANOTHER STATUE OF LIBERTY?
Both linked to Auguste Bartholdi
At this difficult time in history, when the concept of liberty and its demise is being debated in many parts of the world, it seems fitting to focus on one of the most famous symbols of liberty.
The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, closed to the public after the events of 9/11, re-opened to visitors on August 3, 2004. Interestingly, just one month earlier, on July 4, 2004, another Statue of Liberty was inaugurated, this one in France.
Visitors to the statue in New York may have noted the name of the designer, Auguste Bartholdi. But how many know any more about this talented man?
Well, you can find out in Alsace, and you can visit the other Statue of Liberty. The medieval city of Colmar, in the center of the Alsace Valley in northeast France, is the birthplace of Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904). On the centennial of his death in Paris, Colmar was proud to honor its native son. Throughout his life, Bartholdi was obsessed with liberty. After his native Alsace was taken over by Germany in 1871 he understood what it meant to have liberty taken away and how important liberty was.
The Bartholdi Museum is in the family’s former sumptuous town house, in old Colmar close to the Cathedral Saint-Martin. It’s built around a courtyard, with one of his statues in the center: the globe with three figures—Le Travail (Work), Le Patriotisme and La Justice. He also designed many of the fountains dotted around the town.
The museum mounted a special exhibition called “Bartholdi the Lion” for the occasion of the centennial. The focus was on another famous colossal sculpture of his, the Lion of Belfort (11m high and 22m long), which he crafted as a symbol of the fierce resistance of the people of Belfort to the Prussian army in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). But, there is also much information on his involvement in America’s Lady of Liberty and on his many other projects. He was obviously a very talented man who worked in a variety of artistic media.
On July 4th, 2004, Colmar inaugurated their own Lady Liberty, on a busy round-about on the road to Strasbourg, the EU capital. Amid great pomp and ceremony, the 12 meter-high copy of the Statue of Liberty was officially recognized, with the hope that this symbol of French and American friendship will continue to bring the two countries together.
While it seems fitting to put a replica of the original statue here, in a way it seems a little incongruous too, as we ponder the parallels and differences between them. Both are symbolic of man’s hope for a life of liberty and peace. Both are green, statuesque and very visible. Both were inspired by centennial events. One is on an island, one on a traffic island, or round-about; one is passed by ships, the other by cars and trucks.
INFORMATION:
-Where to find the Statue: drive north out of Colmar on the Avenue d’Alsace (N 442) towards Strasbourg. The landmark statue is on the big round-about that has the sign for Colmar airport.
-The Bartholdi Museum (Musee Bartholdi), 30, Rue des Marchands. Tel: +33 (0)3 89 41 90 60
Open March-end December, daily except Tuesdays, and May 1st, November 1st, December 25th. 10am-noon, 2-6pm. €4.10 per adult.
-Colmar Tourist Information Office Tel: +33 (0)3 89 20 68 92
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