Christopher Columbus, Bronze sculpture at Indiana Statehouse, Indianapolis, US.
The Christopher Columbus sculpture is a bronze bust mounted on a granite pedestal at the southwest corner of the Indiana Statehouse. The work sits on a substantial base that positions the figure prominently on the Statehouse grounds.
Italian immigrants in Indiana commissioned sculptor Enrico Vittori to create this work, which was installed at the Statehouse in 1920. This installation reflected the community's desire to honor a figure connected to their ancestral homeland.
The sculpture depicts Columbus in period clothing with chin-length hair, reflecting how the artist chose to represent this historical figure. It served as a way for Italian immigrants to connect with their heritage through public art.
The sculpture is located on the open grounds on the southwest side of the Statehouse and is easy to access. You can visit the monument during daylight hours when the Statehouse grounds are open to the public.
The granite pedestal features a plaque that references Columbus's discoveries and highlights contributions from Italian culture. This inscription connects the individual figure to larger cultural meanings for visitors who stop to read it.
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