Lightbulb 2

As Fuji is a source of  unity for all  and inspiration for artists, so is our Lady.  Today I’ll purloin the words of

Emma Lazarus, who wrote,  “Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,  with conquering limbs astride from land to land;  here at our sea-washed

sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles.

From her beacon-hand glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command the air-bridged

harbor that twin cities frame.  “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she with silent lips. . .  .”    And you probably know the rest.

A bulked-up Helen Parker plays here, and

as does this Bouchard barge No. 85.

Different photographers help her give illusions of cavorting atop dredger New York or

or wave at a random passing container ship, this one Hanjin Colombo, and so many more.

Other vessels pictured include Liberty IV, schooner Pioneer, and ferry Spirit of America.  Also, in the second foto, notice the club/barge William Wall between the sailboats and Ellis Island.

Fotos #1–8 credit to Dan B.  #9 is Jed’s, and the last one is Will Van Dorp.  Dan B contributed the shots of Flinterduin, and Jed contributes regularly, recently with this rare puzzler shot.

As I look at these two days of shots, in response to the survey about whether NYC’s sixth boro needs a seasonal light display, it occurs to me that some shots are missing, like Liberté as seen from outside the Narrows, atop the gantries at Bayonne and Port Elizabeth, from an aircraft above 1000′, and from the peak of a tall building in Newark.  Anyone help?

Parting shot:  one of my own favorites.

And for an artistic influence on Bartholdi, see a painting called La Vérité by Jules J. Lefebvre completed before Liberté, click here.