Lafayette and Washington Statue

Overlooking the bustling intersection of Manhattan Avenue and Morningside Drive stands the Lafayette and Washington Statue. It’s a monument to a pivotal moment in history and a testament to the enduring friendship between two nations. The Lafayette and Washington Statue depicts a handshake, a symbol of the alliance forged between the United States and France during the American Revolution. This bronze sculpture, created by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, captures the hope and determination of two great leaders. Bartholdi, also known for his iconic Statue of Liberty, imbued this work with a similar sense of grandeur, although on a smaller scale. The Lafayette and Washington Statue was a gift to New York City from Charles Broadway Rouss, a local merchant. He dedicated it to the memory of his son in 1900. The monument arrived from France aboard the steamship Myrtle, a transatlantic journey mirroring Lafayette’s own voyage to America. The inscription is simple and powerful: “Lafayette – Washington. Presented to the City of New York By Charles B. Rouss. April Nineteenth Nineteen Hundred.” It’s a stark contrast to the more elaborate inscription on the original statue in Paris. The New York dedication ceremony was a grand affair, with speeches, music, and a crowd of enthusiastic onlookers. Interestingly, Rouss himself, though present, was unable to fully appreciate the unveiling. He had lost his sight years earlier, a poignant detail that adds a layer of bittersweetness to the story. The Lafayette and Washington Statue in New York is actually a replica of the original monument located in Paris. This Parisian version was commissioned by Joseph Pulitzer, the newspaper publisher, and presented to France in 1895. While the original faced some criticism in Paris, the New York replica was generally well-received. The Lafayette and Washington Statue serves as a powerful reminder of the bonds forged in times of struggle. It symbolizes the shared values of liberty and independence that unite two nations. It stands as a quiet tribute to the enduring power of international friendship.