There is no figure quite like Lady Liberty. Since her arrival in New York Harbor on June 17, 1885, she has maintained worldwide fame that has spanned generations. As an enduring symbol of hope and freedom, the Statue of Liberty remains as iconic as she is mysterious.
An online search—or better yet, a visit to the Statue of Liberty—reveals a wealth of intriguing information about her creation, assembly, unveiling, restorations, upkeep, and more. Yet, despite all we know about Lady Liberty, one question remains: Did the French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi model the statue’s face after Isabella Eugenie Boyer, or did he choose to honor his own mother?
Bartholdi’s Creative Intentions
Inspired by the ideals of the American Constitution, French abolitionist and author Édouard de Laboulaye proposed that France present a statue to the American people—both to commemorate the United States’ Centennial of 1876 and to symbolize the enduring friendship between the two nations.
At a dinner party in 1865, Laboulaye shared his idea with his friend Auguste Bartholdi, who eagerly agreed to design a statue titled Liberty Enlightening the World. Six years later, during his visit to America, Bartholdi reportedly completed his initial sketches for the colossal statue before his ship even reached the shore, according to an article published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Lady Liberty was intended to serve as the “Gateway to America,” and Bartholdi undoubtedly recognized that her face was just as significant as the torch in her right hand, the tablet in her left, the spiked crown on her head, and the broken shackles at her feet. But did he model her face after Isabella Eugenie Boyer, or was it inspired by his mother, Augusta Charlotte Bartholdi?
Isabella Eugenie Boyer: A Possible Muse for Lady Liberty?
Born in 1841, Isabella Eugenie Boyer was one of the most renowned women in France. She married Isaac Merritt Singer, the inventor of the sewing machine, but was widowed just 12 years later. As his legal heir, she inherited his vast fortune.
Isabella’s beauty, intelligence, and charm only added to her allure. A prominent figure in European social circles, she is believed to have inspired Bartholdi during the design of the Statue of Liberty, as they reportedly met in person after her remarriage, when she became the Duchess of Camposelice. While many believe Isabella served as the model for the Statue of Liberty, others argue that the statue bears a stronger resemblance to Bartholdi’s mother.
Augusta Charlotte Bartholdi: A Mother’s Influence on Lady Liberty?
Bartholdi’s mother, Augusta Charlotte, was alive and well when her son undertook the most culturally significant project of his career. Born in 1801, she would have been in her 60s at the time, and many believe Bartholdi drew inspiration from her most distinctive features, including her “stern eyes, long nose, and strong jawline.”
An article published by What It Means to Be American describes Augusta Charlotte Bartholdi as a “beautiful and strict” mother who “made her boys learn English and music, took them on tours to London and the Pyrenees, introduced them to the works of Cicero and Goethe, and enrolled them in Ary Scheffer’s atelier in Paris, where they learned to paint and sculpt.” Supporters of this theory argue that Bartholdi may have modeled Lady Liberty’s face after his mother as a tribute to her influence in shaping his artistic pursuits.
An Iconic and Unforgettable Face
According to the National Park Service (NPS), Lady Liberty was unveiled on a wet and foggy day—October 28, 1886, to be exact. The NPS states, “When Bartholdi released the tricolor French flag that veiled Liberty’s face, a roar of guns, whistles, and applause erupted.”
The inspiration behind Lady Liberty’s face is just one of the many captivating aspects of this national treasure, which stands tall and proud on Liberty Island. Whether the Statue of Liberty’s face was modeled after Isabella, Augusta, or perhaps another woman Bartholdi knew, one thing is certain—her face has inspired wonder and gratitude in millions of people for more than a century.