Statue of Christopher Columbus, Bronze statue in Central Park Mall, United States
The statue depicts a bronze figure of Columbus standing atop a 76-foot (23 m) granite column at Columbus Circle in Manhattan. The monument combines bronze and granite elements to create a towering landmark in the urban landscape.
Italian sculptor Gaetano Russo created this monument in 1892 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's first voyage to the Americas. The work was completed during a period of significant Italian immigration to New York City.
Italian-language newspaper Il Progresso organized fundraising among Italian-American communities to build this monument. This campaign made the statue a symbol of Italian-American identity and pride in the city.
The monument sits at the intersection of Broadway, Central Park South, and Eighth Avenue, making it a useful reference point for navigating Manhattan. The location is easily accessible on foot and offers convenient access to the surrounding Central Park area and nearby streets.
The bronze decorations on the column feature representations of Columbus's ships, but they are depicted as Roman galleys rather than the actual caravels he sailed. This artistic choice reflects the classical aesthetic the sculptor chose for the monument.
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