Statue of Christopher Columbus, Bronze monument in Columbus, Ohio, United States.
The Statue of Christopher Columbus is a bronze figure depicting the explorer in formal attire, holding a rolled document in his hand. The work stands on a square stone base and was a landmark outside Columbus City Hall for many decades.
The work was created by Italian artist Edoardo Alfieri and installed in front of Columbus City Hall in 1955. It was originally intended as a tribute to the heritage of Italian immigrants and their connection to the city's history.
For many Italian-American residents, the monument represented their community's presence and heritage in the city. Its meaning shifted over time as public discussions about historical representation in public spaces grew.
The monument is no longer at its original location, having been removed in 2020. Visitors can see the empty plaza in front of City Hall, where new artistic installations are planned for the future.
During maintenance work in 1979, a time capsule was discovered beneath the base containing historical items and transport documents. This finding provided insight into the intentions of those who originally installed the monument.
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