Question
Here is the question : WHICH COUNTRY WAS THE STATUE OF LIBERTY ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- France
- Egypt
- United Kingdom
- Morocco
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
The Statue of Liberty, sometimes known as “Lady Liberty,” may be one of the most well-known sculptures in the world, but she wasn’t originally meant to remain on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. In the 1850s, when the Egyptians were in the process of completing the Suez Canal, the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi proposed the concept of a “robe-clad woman representing Egypt” to them. In the end, Egypt rejected Bartholdi’s plan, citing the fact that it would be too expensive. As a result, the artist shifted his focus, renaming his vision, which he had initially referred to as “Egypt Carrying the Light to Asia,” as a “colossal goddess.” Bartholdi started selling the idea of ‘Liberty Enlightening the World’ to people in the United States. In spite of a sluggish start in terms of both money and attention, the planning and building of the project finally helped Americans see the light.
Reuters was the source of the information used in this article.
The Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic symbols of freedom and democracy, is often associated with the United States. However, contrary to popular belief, the Statue of Liberty was not originally designed for the United States but instead had its origins tied to Egypt. The fascinating story behind the creation of this monumental statue begins in the late 19th century.
The concept of the Statue of Liberty was conceived by the French political thinker and activist Édouard René de Laboulaye. In 1865, Laboulaye proposed the idea of gifting a grand monument to the United States as a symbol of their shared values of liberty and democracy. Inspired by the recent abolition of slavery in the United States and the French Revolution, Laboulaye aimed to strengthen the bond between the two nations through this magnificent gesture.
To bring his vision to life, Laboulaye enlisted the expertise of the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. Bartholdi was known for his impressive sculptures, and he eagerly took on the challenge of creating a masterpiece that would capture the essence of liberty. Together with the French engineer Gustave Eiffel, who would later design the Eiffel Tower, Bartholdi embarked on a remarkable journey to fulfill Laboulaye’s dream.
The original plan for the statue was to have it placed at the entrance of the Suez Canal in Egypt. The idea behind this location was to symbolize the historical connection between the United States and Egypt, as both countries had played significant roles in the development of global trade and transportation. The statue, named “Egypt Bringing Light to Asia,” was intended to represent the enlightened progress brought about by the Suez Canal.
Bartholdi drew inspiration from ancient Egyptian art and architecture for the design of the statue. He envisioned a colossal figure of a woman holding a torch in her right hand, representing enlightenment, and a broken chain at her feet, symbolizing freedom from oppression. The statue was to be constructed using copper sheets over an iron framework, allowing it to withstand the harsh Egyptian climate.
However, the plans for the statue’s placement in Egypt never materialized. Due to various logistical and financial challenges, including the political instability in Egypt at the time, Bartholdi’s grand vision had to be reconsidered. Nevertheless, the project caught the attention of Americans who were drawn to the idea of having such a symbol in their own country.
In 1871, Bartholdi shifted his focus to the United States, where the statue found a new purpose and home. The location chosen was Bedloe’s Island in the New York Harbor, an ideal spot to welcome incoming ships and immigrants. The statue was renamed “Liberty Enlightening the World,” and its design was slightly modified to suit its new context.
Construction of the statue began in France in 1875 and took several years to complete. The copper sheets were carefully crafted and assembled, whil