The Statue of Liberty: America's Most Iconic Artwork Is Stranger Than You Think
By
Jason Farago
Summary
A critical reflection on the Statue of Liberty as the most iconic American artwork — despite being a French sculpture. The piece explores the statue's dual existence as both a sublime monument and a mass-produced souvenir, examining its strange, often overlooked details, its history of assembly and repair, and its complex place in American cultural identity. The critic argues that the statue is stranger and more layered than popular perception allows.
Source
bskyThe Statue of Liberty: America's Most Iconic Artwork Is Stranger Than You Thinknytimes.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledWhat is the most iconic work of American art? A French sculpture, of course, assembled first in Paris, and then again in New York Harbor.
She needs repair sometimes. The patina is thick. But she's still standing.
The Statue of Liberty is caught between the sublime and the souvenir.
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