Administered by Chicago Park District Preservation Planning Division 425 East McFetridge Drive Chicago Illinois 60605
Date:
1933. Dedicated Aug. 3, 1933. Removed July 24, 2020
Notes:
Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985
Bach, Ira J., and Mary Lackritz Gray, "A Guide to Chicago's Public Sculpture," Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983, pg. 9-10.
Riedy, James L., "Chicago Sculpture," Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1981, pg. 204.
Gray, Mary Lackrits, "Department of Cultural Affairs Loop Sculpture Guide," Chicago: Department of Cultural Affairs, 1990, no. 2.
Save Outdoor Sculpture, Illinois, Chicago survey, 1992.
Image on file.
Bach, Ira J., and Mary Lackritz Gray, "A Guide to Chicago's Public Sculpture," Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983. pg. 9.
Southeast side of base:) Erected by/the Italian Americans/of Illinois/under the auspices of the Columbus/Monument Committee (East side of base:) Columbus/Monument Committee/Honorary Chairman/Hon. Henry Horner/Governor of the State of Illinois/Hon. Edward J. Kelly/Mayor of Chicago/Royal Italian Consul General/Chairman/Judge Francis Bornelli/Vice Chairman/Cav. Paul Y. Collanni/Cav. Dr. Antonio Ferme/Secretary/Cav. Horatio Tocco/Treasurer/Edoardo Maglione (Northeast side of base:) From Last Will of Columbus/Silindo O Nacicio/En Genoua/As a Native of Genoa (Northwest side of base:) Dedicated at the Chicago/Century of Progress/Exposition Columbus/Symbolizes the enduring/mutual respect and understanding between Italy and the United States. (Southwest side of base:) By the Grace of God/And in the name of/Her Majesty Queen Isabella/I am taking possession/ of this land/October 12, 1492
A Century of Progress, Chicago, 1933-1934.
The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.
Summary:
Standing full-length figure of Columbus holding a scrolled map in his proper right hand. The statue and its pedestal form the central elements of a large curving exedra. Depicted in low relief in roundels on each of the flat sides of the Art Deco style pedestal are the Santa Maria; Paolo Toscanelli, his tutor who taught him that the world was round; Amerigo Vespucci, whose name was given to the New World; and the seal of the City of Genoa, Columbus's birthplace. Embellishing the four corners of the base are highly stylized busts that present four ideals of mankind: faith, courage, freedom, and strength.
