Who made the Statue of the Republic and why does it look like that?
Posted on Sep 15, 2025 / Travel
The sculptor was Daniel Chester French — the same guy who later did the Lincoln Memorial — and his design was meant to symbolize the American republic and civic pride. The pose and iconography (globe, laurel, torch/staff) are full of classical references that were popular at world’s fairs back then. The original was an enormous plaster-and-gold piece for the fair; the later bronze replica keeps the same general look but at a smaller scale. So yeah, it looks grand on purpose — it was meant to awe fair visitors and proclaim Chicago’s cultural ambitions. French’s classical, heroic style is what gives the statue that antique, official vibe.
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