The Statue of Liberty and David Copperfield
The Statue of Liberty is an iconic monument in New York City and one of the most recognizable symbols of the United States. It is also a symbol of freedom, liberty and democracy. But what many people don’t know is that the statue was actually inspired by a British illusionist, David Copperfield.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886. It is a figure of Libertas, a robed Roman liberty goddess, who bears a torch and a tabula ansata (a tablet evoking the law) upon which is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
David Copperfield
David Copperfield is a world-famous illusionist, author, and television personality. He is best known for his illusions, which include making the Statue of Liberty disappear. He was born in 1956 in Metuchen, New Jersey, and began performing magic when he was just 12 years old. In 1983, he became the first living magician to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Connection
The connection between the Statue of Liberty and David Copperfield is quite interesting. According to the Smithsonian Institute, David Copperfield was a great admirer of the Statue of Liberty and often included it in his illusions. He was also the first person to make the Statue of Liberty disappear in 1983, during a television special. This illusion inspired the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi to create the iconic Statue of Liberty.
The Illusion
The illusion was a simple one. Copperfield used a combination of lights and mirrors to make it appear as if the Statue of Liberty had disappeared. It was done in two parts. First, he made the Statue of Liberty appear to be engulfed in fog. Then, he made the Statue of Liberty appear to disappear completely, as if it had vanished into thin air. This was a spectacular illusion that amazed viewers and inspired Bartholdi to create the Statue of Liberty.
Conclusion
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic symbols of the United States. It is a symbol of freedom, liberty, and democracy. But what many people don’t know is that the statue was inspired by the illusions of David Copperfield. His illusion of making the Statue of Liberty disappear in 1983 was so amazing that it inspired the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi to create the iconic Statue of Liberty.
