Christopher Columbus, (sculpture).

Christopher Columbus, (sculpture).

Solani, Alfred, sculptor.

Tibor, Alfred, 1920-2017, sculptor.

Sexton, Bill, fabricator.

Christopher Columbus, (sculpture).

ca. 1950s. Originally installed 1966. Relocated April 4, 1986. Reinstalled May 12, 1988. Rededicated May 17, 1988. Rededicated 1992.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: Carrara marble; Base: concrete.

Approx. H. 17 ft. (20 tons).

Full-length figure of Christopher Columbus stands on a cylindric base. He points with his proper right hand and holds a scrolled object in his proper left hand. He wears a tunic, tights and a long fur coat with puffed sleeves. The statue originally stood at the bow of a replica of the Santa Maria.

History -- United States -- Discovery of U.S.

Portrait male -- Columbus, Christopher -- Full length

Occupation -- Other -- Explorer

Occupation -- Transportation -- Navigator

Ethnic -- Italian

Outdoor Sculpture -- Ohio -- Columbus

Columbus State Community College, 550 East Spring Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Formerly administered by City of Barrington, Park District, Fairhaven subdivision, Barrington, Illinois 1966-1986.

Commissioned in the 1950s by Anthony De Tomasi for $250,000 and carved in Milan, Italy. De Tomasi brought the sculpture (which then included the figure of Columbus and his ship the Santa Maria) to the United States in 1959 and offered it to the City of San Francisco, who declined the offer. In 1966, the sculpture was installed in the Fairhaven subdivision in Barrington, Illinois. De Tomasi, the developer of the subdivision, donated the sculpture and 14 acres of park land. The statue fell into disrepair and funding was sought for its restoration. The statue was donated to the City of Columbus. It was shipped in three pieces and arrived in Columbus on April 4, 1986. The funds and labor for dismantling and shipping the statue came from Dispatch Charities, the Columbus Foundation, George Igel Jr. and R & M Trucking. It was stored in the Columbus Recreation & Parks Department warehouse, pending a decision for its location.

In Columbus, the sculpture was originally to be installed across from City Hall, on the Scioto River. In late 1987, the Columbus State Community College pledged $25,000 for the statue's restoration and $25,000 for a new base. The restoration took place at the Columbus Art Memorial Company and was undertaken by sculptor Alfred Tibor and stonecutter Bill Sexton. Parts of the proper right hand, thumb and index finger were replaced and the extended arm was reinforced. Sections of the fur coat were replaced, as was one of the eyes which had been shot out with a rifle. An inch and a half was added to the head, giving the figure a fuller head of hair. Sexton cut pieces of the ship portion to use as material for the restoration. A mixture of epoxy and marble dust was used for the repairs. The statue was installed at the College on a concrete, cylindric base on May 12, 1988 and unveiled on May 17, 1988. It was dedicated again in 1992, the 500th anniversary of Columbus's voyage. Attached sources list various dimensions and weight; it appears that the sculpture was originally 32 1/2 feet tall and weighed 125 tons.

After extensive restoration, it measures approximately 17 feet tall and weighs 20 tons. IAS files include the following related sources: the Barrington Courier-Review (Barrington, Illinois), Jan. 12, 1978, July 10, 1980, May 2, 1985, April 10, 1986 and March 10, 1988; the Columbus Dispatch, May 2, 1985, March 30, 1986, Jan. 1, 1988 and May 13, 1988; the Associate, a newsletter of Columbus State Community College, April 1992; a press release from the College; and an excerpt from the book "Outdoor-Indoor Sculpture." IAS files also contain an article from Capitol Magazine, June 2, 1985, which includes a photograph of the statue in Barrington, with the Santa Maria ship.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Ohio, Columbus survey, 1994.

Barrington Courier-Review (Barrington, Illinois), Jan. 12, 1978, pg. 22.

Capitol Magazine (June 6, 1985): pg. 6.

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.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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