Auguste Bartholdi. Liberty enlightening the world

Few works of art around the world are as instantly recognisable as the Statue of Liberty. Yet its creator often remains in the shadow of his masterpiece. With the exhibition ‘Auguste Bartholdi. Liberty Enlightening the World’, the Musée d’Orsay invites visitors, from 15 September 2026 to 31 January 2027, to rediscover the career of this visionary artist, whose work has shaped the collective imagination far beyond France’s borders.

A sculptor, draughtsman and keen observer of his time, Auguste Bartholdi developed a body of work in which monumental ambition, technical mastery and a flair for storytelling converge. The exhibition traces the stages of his career through a collection of works, sketches, models and documents that shed light on the creative process leading to the creation of one of the world’s most famous monuments. As visitors make their way through the exhibition, the figure of Liberty is revealed in a new light: no longer merely a universal icon, but the result of an artistic, human and political adventure.

### A new perspective on a World Heritage Site

This retrospective also provides an opportunity to place Bartholdi within the vibrant context of the 19th century, a period marked by major exhibitions, technical innovations and international exchanges. Behind the monument lies a creator driven by the dialogue between art, engineering and humanist ideals.
At the Musée d’Orsay, this immersion in Bartholdi’s world offers a broader perspective on how works of art shape collective memory and endure across generations. It is an invitation to look anew at a familiar figure in art history, and to discover the many stories hidden behind a symbol known to all.

Extend the experience with virtual reality

The exhibition is accompanied by a virtual reality experience, A Statue for Liberty: Bartholdi’s Dream, from Paris to New York, spread over nearly 700 m², which invites you to take a fresh look at the Statue of Liberty. This immersive experience allows you to engage with the work on a different scale and explore Bartholdi’s world from a decidedly contemporary perspective. It offers a fresh way to discover the history of this iconic monument, bridging heritage and innovation.

History comes to life in Paris Region’s exhibitions.