Musée Bartholdi: Home of Liberty's Creator in Colmar

In the heart of Colmar, France, at 30 rue des Marchands, stands the stately home where Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the famed sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, was born. Now the Musée Bartholdi, this museum offers a deep dive into the life and work of one of history's most significant artists, whose creations became global symbols of freedom and patriotism.

The Life of an Iconic Sculptor

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was born in this house on August 2, 1834. Following the premature death of his father in 1836, his mother, Charlotte, moved the family to Paris. However, they retained the Colmar residence for holidays, maintaining a strong connection to their Alsatian roots. In Paris, Bartholdi pursued art, eventually focusing on sculpture. By age 21, he had completed his first public monument, the statue of General Rapp, which was installed in Colmar in 1856.

His travels, particularly a trip to Egypt in 1855, exposed him to monumental art and inspired the colossal scale of his later works. Bartholdi's patriotism was further ignited during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, influencing masterpieces like the Lion of Belfort. The idea for his most famous work, the Statue of Liberty, was proposed by French historian Édouard de Laboulaye as a gift to the United States, a project Bartholdi passionately brought to life.

From Family Home to Public Museum

The building itself is an 18th-century townhouse, though restoration work has revealed older Renaissance arcades from as early as the 15th century. After Bartholdi's death in 1904, his widow, Jeanne Bartholdi, bequeathed the family home to the city of Colmar on the condition that it be transformed into a museum honoring her husband. The Musée Bartholdi officially opened its doors on November 18, 1922. In recognition of its cultural importance, it holds the 'Musée de France' label and was designated a 'Maison des Illustres' (House of the Illustrious) in 2011.

Inside the Museum's Collections

The museum is spread across three floors, each dedicated to presenting the artist's life and extensive body of work. The collection includes sculptures, drawings, paintings, engravings, and historical photographs. A key highlight is the display of preparatory models for his monumental works, including the Statue of Liberty and the Lion of Belfort. One surprising artifact is a four-foot-tall plaster model of the Statue of Liberty's ear, which Bartholdi kept as a personal souvenir.

The museum also offers an intimate glimpse into the artist's private world by showcasing family furniture and personal memorabilia. A significant portion of the museum is a reconstruction of Bartholdi's Parisian apartment, complete with his study, dining room, and living room. The dining room features a unique display of Chinese and Japanese porcelains hung on the ceiling. In addition to the permanent collection, the ground floor hosts changing exhibitions that feature local contemporary artists.