Bartholdi, AUGUSTE

Bartholdi, AUGUSTE, sculptor, a native of Colmar, Alsace, of Italian ancestry on his father's side, was trained in the studio of Ary Scheffer, and amongst other works has executed the Lafayette statue, New York; Vercingetorix, the Gaulish leader, now in the galleries of the French government; the 'Lion of Belfort,' and 'Grief.' That France should present to America some symbol in connection with the centenary of American independence occurred to him in 1874; the scheme took shape, and in November 1886 the gigantic bronze statue, 220 feet high, of 'Liberty enlightening the World,' which was completed in 1884, and had taken two years to get into position, was unveiled on Bedloe's Island, New York Harbour. Bartholdi received the cross of the Legion of Honour in 1887.