UNITED
STATES PATENT OFFICE.
AUGUSTE BARTHOLDI, OF
PARIS, FRANCE.
DESIGN FOR A STATUE
Specification
forming part of Design No. 11,023,
dated February 18, 1879, application filed January 2, 1879.
[Term of patent 14 years.]
To all whom it may
concern:
Be it known that I. AUGUSTE
BARTHOLDI, of Paris, in the Republic of
France, have originated and produced a Design of a Monumental Statue,
representing "Liberty enlightening the world," being intended as a
commemorative monument of the independence of the United States; and I
hereby declare the following to be a full, clear and exact description
of the same, reference being had to the accompanying illustration,
which I submit as part of this specification.
The statue is that of a female figure
standing erect upon a pedestal or
block, the body being thrown slightly over to the left, so as to
gravitate upon the left leg, the whole figure being thus in
equilibrium, and symmetrically arranged with respect to a perpendicular
line or axis passing trough the head and left foot. The right leg, with
its lower limb thrown back, is bent, resting upon the bent toe, thus
giving grace to the general attitude of the figure. The body is clothed
in the classical drapery, being a stola, or mantle gathered in upon the
left shoulder, and thrown over the skirt or tunic or under-garment,
which drops in voluminous folds upon the feet. The right arm is thrown
up and stretched out, with a flamboyant torch grasped in the hand. The
flame of the torch is thus held high up above the figure. The arm is
nude; the drapery of the sleeve is dropping down upon the shoulder in
voluminous folds. In the left arm, which is falling against the body,
is held a tablet, upon which is inscribed "4th July, 1776." This tablet
is made to rest against the side of the body, above the hip, and so as
to occupy an inclined position with relation thereto exhibiting the
inscription. The left hand clasps the tablet so as to bring the four
fingers onto the face thereof. The head with its classical, yet severe
and calm, features, is surmounted by a crown or diadem, from which
radiate divergingly seven rays, tapering from the crown, and
representing a halo. The feet are bare and sandal-strapped.
This design may be carried out in any
manner known to the glyptic art
in the form of a statue or statuette, or in alto-relievo or
bass-relief, in metal, stone, terra-cotta, plaster-of-paris or other
plastic composition. It may also be carried out pictorially in print
from engravings on metal, wood, or stone, or by photographing or
otherwise.
What I claim as my invention
is—
The herein-described design of a statue
representing Liberty
enlightening the world, the same consisting, essentially, of the draped
female figure, with one arm upraised, bearing a torch, while the other
holds an inscribed tablet, and having upon the head a diadem
substantially as set forth.
In testimony whereof I have signed this
specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.
A.
BARTHOLDI.
Witnesses:
C. TERINIER,
COTTIN.
See also:
- Today in Science History event description for issue date of patent on 18 Feb 1879.
- Today in Science History event description for unveiling of the Statue of Liberty on 28 Oct 1886