The Biographical Dictionary of America/Bartholdi, Frederic Auguste

​BARTHOLDI, Frederic Auguste, sculptor, was born at Colmar, Alsace, April 2, 1834. He removed to Paris when a boy, and first studied painting with Scheffer, but in a short time abandoned painting for sculpture, to which he afterwards applied himself. He made his first exhibit when thirteen years old, and produced his "Francesca di Rimini" when eighteen. In 1856-'58 he made an Oriental tour with Gérôme, and during the Franco-German war served in the army with the painters Regnault and De Neuville. His works include portrait busts of Erckmann and Chatrian; a monument to Martin Schongauer; "La Malediction d'Alsace le Vigneron"; "Vercingetorix"; "Lafayette Arriving in America," which was set up in Union square, N. Y., in 1876; "The Young Vine Grower"; "Génie Funèbre"; "Peace," and "Genius in the Grasp of Misery," contributed to the United States centennial exhibition; "The Lion of Belfort"; "Gribeauval," and "Liberty Enlightening the World." He made several trips to the United States; suggested Bedloe's Island as the site for his colossal statue; was present at its dedication, and has received the cross of the Legion of Honor. In 1890 he protested against the proposed use of Bedloe's Island as an immigration depot, and suggested that it should be adorned with the statues of great Americans. He finished in 1895 a bronze group representing Washington and Lafayette which was set up in the Rue Etats Unis, Paris, and unveiled Dec. 1, 1895.