Christopher Columbus, (sculpture).

Christopher Columbus, (sculpture).

Brioschi, Carlo, 1879-1941, sculptor.

Christopher Columbus, (sculpture).

1933. Dedicated Aug. 3, 1933. Removed July 24, 2020.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: white marble or granite.

Sculpture: approx. 15 x 8 x 4 ft.; Base: approx. 20 x 5 x 5 ft.; Exedra: approx. Diam. 25 ft.

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

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.

Portrait male -- Columbus, Christopher -- Full length

Occupation -- Other -- Explorer

Occupation -- Transportation -- Navigator

Ethnic -- Italian

Dress -- Historic -- Renaissance Dress

Architecture -- Boat -- Santa Maria

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

Portrait male -- Toscanelli, Paolo

Occupation -- Education -- Teacher

Portrait male -- Vespucci, Amerigo

Landscape -- Italy -- Genoa

Allegory -- Quality -- Faith

Allegory -- Quality -- Fortitude

Allegory -- Other -- Liberation

Administered by Chicago Park District, Preservation Planning Division, 425 East McFetridge Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605

Formerly located Grant Park, Columbus Drive at Roosevelt Road, Chicago, Illinois 1933-2020.

A Century of Progress, Chicago, 1933-1934.

The sculpture was a gift to the 1933-34 Chicago Century of Progress Exposition from the Italian-American community of Illinois. It was dedicated on Italian Day at the fair in August 1933. An inscription on the marble base records the then recent record flight of aviator General Italo Balbo and his squadron of seaplanes across the Atlantic from Italy to Chicago. The Chicago Park District Monument and Sculpture Photographic Archives contains photographs of the sculpture in storage, transport, and of the plans and models for the current setting. The Chicago Park District Monument and Sculpture Preservation Files contain miscellaneous correspondence, news articles and conservation treatment reports with color slide and black and white photographic documentation. Base medium described as white marble in the Bach and Gray publication; described as granite on 1992 SOS survey questionnaire.

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.

Bach, Ira J., and Mary Lackritz Gray, "A Guide to Chicago's Public Sculpture," Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983. pg. 9.

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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