On his return in 1871 from a voyage to America, the sculptor and painter Bartholdi began a work that would later become the Statue of Liberty, one of the most famous sculptures in the world. He finished the final model in 1878. It was this plaster that was enlarged for the statue on Ellis Island, and which was used to create an edition of 8 and 4 artist proofs, cast between 2010 and 2021, under the auspices of Musée des Arts et Métiers, Paris.
Modern Fine Art is pleased to present the penultimate work from the edition, with a certificate from the museum. Edition no. 1 has been classified as a French National Treasure and is currently on loan to the French Embassy in Washington DC. Ten of the edition of twelve are in prestigious collections. This copy and one other are available.
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was a renowned French sculptor best known for his work on the Statue of Liberty. His artistic focus was on liberty and he specialized in sculpture. Born in 1834 in Colmar, Alsace, France, Bartholdi was educated at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand, Paris, and the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris. His work was influenced by Antoine Étex, Henri Labrouste, Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc, and Ary Scheffer. Bartholdi was a contemporary of Jean-Léon Gérôme. He was awarded the Legion of Honor. Bartholdi passed away in 1904 in Paris, France. His legacy is preserved in the Musée Bartholdi and the Statue of Liberty Museum.