early life and education Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (1834–1904), a French sculptor and painter, was born on April 2nd, 1834, in Colmar, Alsace – then part of the German Confederation. His family adhered to Protestant traditions, naming him Barthold after his paternal ancestors. Jean Charles Bartholdi, Frédéric’s father, tragically passed away when he was merely two years old, prompting his mother to relocate her children to Paris. From a young age, Frédéric demonstrated an exceptional talent for drawing and received instruction from Martin Rossbach, nurturing his artistic inclinations. Later,…