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SaxonPig re: Statue of Liberty
ElMuertoMonkey
Member Posts: 12,898
At the request of other forum members, I've moved the debate over to another thread.
At the time, there was little iconography that could truly be considered "American." The toga, the torch, the rays of light... it was pure Classical Greek. To say, "Oh, well, no, it was ours by that point" is not only a weak comeback, it's not true.
American architecture was influenced at the time by the ancient Greeks due to the fact that the Greeks were the first known democracy. That we, America, copied their style does not mean that we appropriated that style. No one but those who don't know any better says, "Wow, look at the architectural style of the Capitol (yet another word we appropriated, this time from the Romans)... that's PURE American!"
There is no denying that most of our monumental structures bear the influences of other cultures. America is a young country and even younger culture. We have very little we can claim, rightfully, as 100% our own. One prime example of where we can: The Vietnam Memorial.
Now there is no denying that the Statue of Liberty is an American icon. Any fool around the world would identify her as American. But as far as her iconography goes, taken in part, they are nothing but Classical Greek and any art history expert will tell you so.
SHE may be 100% American, but her symbolism is most certainly not.
At the time, there was little iconography that could truly be considered "American." The toga, the torch, the rays of light... it was pure Classical Greek. To say, "Oh, well, no, it was ours by that point" is not only a weak comeback, it's not true.
American architecture was influenced at the time by the ancient Greeks due to the fact that the Greeks were the first known democracy. That we, America, copied their style does not mean that we appropriated that style. No one but those who don't know any better says, "Wow, look at the architectural style of the Capitol (yet another word we appropriated, this time from the Romans)... that's PURE American!"
There is no denying that most of our monumental structures bear the influences of other cultures. America is a young country and even younger culture. We have very little we can claim, rightfully, as 100% our own. One prime example of where we can: The Vietnam Memorial.
Now there is no denying that the Statue of Liberty is an American icon. Any fool around the world would identify her as American. But as far as her iconography goes, taken in part, they are nothing but Classical Greek and any art history expert will tell you so.
SHE may be 100% American, but her symbolism is most certainly not.
Comments
He Dog
A few French remember, most don't have a clue.
Saxon,
Thank you for your well written opinions, research and statement of intellectual facts. I understood your original message from your original post and agreed with it 100%. What we did for France in the past was worth it, and the truth is, we would do it again because we are a nation who cares for humanity. Those that wish to politicise everything seem bitter human beings to me.
Monkey,
Is any of this of real importance? I beg you to open your eyes to the truth and not be influenced by any single political party. Most all of the accusations thrown out by the democrats in the last year have been disproven with facts, but they are not honest enough to stand up and admit it. I would think long and hard before I allowed myself to be associated with such a dishonest group of liars.
All due respect meant to both members.
How you doin'!
Hypocrisy is the homage paid by vice to virtue.
Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.
A generation later, his son was convicted for the rape and murder of a 12 year old girl and sent to prison.[:(!]
Now, what should I have done? Remember the friend and his gift, or return it because a later generation was evil?[?]
How you doin'!
I wouldn't give the French ANYTHING. Hell, let's take apart the Eiffel Tower and bring IT over here.
Mateomasfeo
"I am what I am!" - Popeye
The discussion on the merits of the design is about as pointless as what colour blue the sky is. I am sure that the designer may have changed his mind on several occasions while working on it!!
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
It doesn't matter, does it, what American culture was doing at the time because the design of the statue was a French surprise, oui? In fact, when they shipped over one hand and foot to be displayed in advance, I believe it was the first clue Americans had of what the whole statue might look like when completed. So even if our own architects were in the midst of a Greek revival, it would not bear upon the look of a French-designed gift...
quote:The fact remains that this sculpture was intended to stand for America and its ideals and it really has nothing to do with Greece or any other nation.
Right. In fact the nearest historical cousin to Liberty is probably the Colossus of Rhodes. But in any case, the design was out of control of American architects and so did not make any statement about emerging American architectural style. It BECAME an American icon. (If we sent back every structure designed by a foreign architect, I wonder where that would leave us. It might leave some very large corporations without a world headquarters...)
T. Jefferson: "[When doing Constitutional interpretation], let us [go] back to the time when [it] was adopted. [Rather than] invent a meaning [let us] conform to the probable one in which it was passed."
God Bless America and...
NEVER Forget WACO
NEVER, EVER Forget 911
Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob