- City:
- New York, New York City, NY
- Site Type:
- Art Works, Archaeology and History, Sculptures, Historical Restoration
- New Deal Agencies:
- Arts Programs, Public Works of Art Project (PWAP)
- Quality of Information:
- Moderate
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
“The Columbus Monument at the south west (main) entrance to Central Park at 59th Street and Central Park West (and Broadway), created by Italian sculptor Gaetano Russo and dedicated in 1882. By the 1930s it was serverely stained by soot, its base was cracked by vibration, and natural veins in the sculpture itself were opened by vibration and weathering. It was cleaned and restored by the New Deal Monument Restoration Project under Karl Gruppe.” (kermitproject.org)
As Carol Lowrey explains, “Gruppe was closely involved in the conservation of New York’s public sculptures from 1934 to 1937, during which time, under the auspices of the New York City Department of Parks’ Monument Restoration Project and Public Works of Art Project, he chaired a committee of sculptors who oversaw the restoration of significant monuments and fountains throughout the city.”
Source notes
https://kermitproject.org/newdeal/centralpark/columbusmonument.html Lowrey, Carol, A Legacy of Art: Paintings and Sculptures by Artist Life Members of the National Arts Club, Hudson Hills (2007).Site originally submitted by Frank da Cruz on July 31, 2015.
At this Location:
- Central Park: Adventure Playground - New York NY
- Central Park Zoo - New York NY
- Central Park: Mariners' Playground - New York NY
- Central Park: Conservatory Garden - New York NY
- Central Park: Rudin Family Playground - New York NY
- Central Park: Harlem Meer Improvements - New York NY
- Central Park: Tarr Family Playground - New York NY
- Central Park Improvements - New York NY
- Central Park: Rumsey Playfield - New York NY
- Central Park: Heckscher Playground Improvements - New York NY
- Central Park: Great Lawn - New York NY
- Central Park: Arsenal Improvements - New York NY
- Central Park: Bridle Paths - New York NY
- Central Park: Arsenal Murals - New York NY
- Central Park: North Meadow Ball Fields - New York NY
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