The statue was erected in 1891 to honor Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, and his contributions in the American Revolutionary War.

The statuary was made by Alexandre Falguière and Antonin Mercié, and the architect who designed the marble pedestal was Paul Pujol [fr].

[4] His father, Michel du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, was a colonel who died at the Battle of Minden when his son was only two years old.

[6] Around the time his mother and great-grandfather died in 1770, he was sent to train at a military institution, where he attained the rank of second lieutenant in the Musketeers of the Guard.

Two years later, in a meeting with Charles François de Broglie, Marquis of Ruffec, the American Revolutionary War was discussed.

Lafayette was allegedly still angry at the British for the death of his father, and due to his new Masonic views, thought the idea of human liberty was admirable.

[6][7] In 1776, Lafayette joined a team of French military personnel that planned to travel to the Thirteen Colonies, and was commissioned a major general.

After the French officially joined the colonial forces fighting the Kingdom of Great Britain, Lafayette returned to France and helped enlist 6,000 soldiers.

His eventual souring of the ideals of the revolution led to the Day of Daggers, which saw him defend King Louis XVI and experience a rise in popularity amongst a portion of the citizenry.

The completed bronze and marble parts were shipped on the steamer La Normandie in 30 heavy boxes weighing 62,500 lb (28,300 kg).

The boxes arrived in New York City in August 1890, and were then transported by train to Washington, D.C.[8] The best location for the statue was a matter of some debate after it had been commissioned.

[17] Other possible sites near the Treasury Building or the U.S. Capitol were considered, but eventually the granite foundation was laid directly to the south of the Andrew Jackson statue.

[8] The Lafayette statue is one of 14 American Revolution Statuary that were collectively listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on July 14, 1978.

[13] The Lafayette statue is located on the southeast corner of Lafyette Square, at the intersection of Madison Place and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, across the street from the White House and near the Freedman's Bank Building.

He is depicted in civilian dress with a long coat bearing the badge of the Society of the Cincinnati, boots, and wig.

[20][22] Before the south face of the pedestal is seated a draped female figure cast in bronze, symbolizing America, turning to seek aid from the Marquis and offering him a sword.

The east and west faces have pairs of bronze statues of French military figures associated with the American Revolutionary Wars.