Statue of Christopher Columbus (Philadelphia)

File:Columbus Broad St Philly art.JPG

The Christopher Columbus Monument was originally erected on the Centennial Exposition grounds at the intersection of Fountain and Belmont Avenues, near the Conservatory[https://archive.org/details/centennialexpos00cent The Centennial Exposition Guide]. Hammon & Lawrence Publishers, 1876. "The Columbus Monument", Pg. 29 and dedicated on October 13, 1876[https://archive.org/details/frankleslieshis00lesl/ Frank Leslie's Historical Register of the United States Centennial Exposition, 1886.] Edited by Frank Norton, Frank Leslie's Publishing House, New York, 1877. Pg. 313 as a tribute from Italy to America. The entire monument cost $18,000, was made of Italian Ravazzoni marble, and stands {{convert|22|ft|abbr=on}} from the ground, the statue of Columbus being {{convert|10|ft|abbr=on}} in height and the pedestal {{convert|12|ft|abbr=on}}. The base is {{convert|7|ft|abbr=on}} long by {{convert|6|ft|abbr=on}} in width, and the weight is about {{convert|70000|lb|abbr=on}}. The figure represents Columbus, in the costume of his age and clime, standing on a ship's deck, near his feet being an anchor, coils of rope, and a sailor's dunnage bag; his right hand resting on a globe, {{convert|15|in|abbr=on}} in diameter, with the New World outlined on the front face, and supported by a hexagonal column. His left is gracefully extended and holds a chart of what was once an unknown sea. The head of the statue is bare, and the physiognomy about as represented in the bust of the navigator at Genoa. On the front cap of the pedestal are the words "Presented to the city of Philadelphia by the Italian Societies". Beneath this is a medallion representing the landing of Columbus. On the opposite side of the cap is inscribed "Dedicated October 13, 1886, by the Christopher Columbus Monument Association, on the Anniversary of the Landing of Columbus, October 13, 1482". Underneath is the Genoese coat of arms and the words "In commemoration of the First Century of American Independence". On the remaining two sides of the pedestal are the coats of arms of Italy and the United States.[https://archive.org/details/centennialexposi00ingr/ The Centennial Exposition, Described and Illustrated.] By J. S. Ingram, Published by Hubbard Bros., 1876. "The Columbus Monument", Pg. 720–721 {{PD-notice}}

Antonio Isoleri, the second pastor of the first Italian church in the United States and the prototype for all Italian parishes in Philadelphia that came afterward, St. Mary Magdalen dePazzi,{{cite book |last1=Juliani |first1=Richard N. |title=Priest, Parish, and People : Saving the Faith in Philadelphia's "Little Italy" |year=2007 |publisher=University of Notre Dame Press |isbn=978-0-268-03265-4}}{{rp|257}} organized for the erection of this statue of Christopher Columbus, the first in Philadelphia, in Fairmount Park, and for a celebration.{{rp|97}} Isoleri, calling for unity among Italians in America{{rp|316}} utilized the explorer to provide people that were divided by their various regional ethnicities with a hero from a common heritage that generated shared pride.{{rp|60,140}}

File:Christopher Columbus Monument boxed in Marconi Plaza Philadelphia PA (June 2020) (DSC 4035).jpg

On August 12, 2020, the Philadelphia Art Commission issued an order to remove the statue from Marconi Plaza and to place it in temporary storage. This followed an endorsement of a city proposal, two weeks prior, by the Philadelphia Historical Commission, to remove the statue, citing public safety and susceptibility of damage to the statue as a result of the George Floyd protests. A judge later halted the order, while a legal battle continues in the courts.[https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-columbus-statue-marconi-plaza-george-floyd-protests-20200812.html The Philadelphia Inquirer], Plans to move Columbus statue to temporary storage get Art Commission approval, but judge orders stay, August 12, 2020 (Accessed Sept. 5, 2020) Citing preservation of the statue pending a final decision, the City of Philadelphia had it boxed. On August 17, 2021 a judge from Philadelphia Common Pleas Court ruled the decision for removing the statue to be without legal merit,[https://www.inquirer.com/wires/ap/judge-rules-columbus-statue-philadelphia-can-remain-20210818.html The Philadelphia Inquirer], Judge rules Columbus statue in Philadelphia can remain, August 18, 2021 and on December 9, 2022, a ruling by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ordered the plywood box enclosure to be removed.[https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/columbus-statue-box-philadelphia-marconi-plaza-20221209.html The Philadelphia Inquirer], Box around Christopher Columbus statue in South Philadelphia must be removed, Commonwealth Court rules, December 09, 2022

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• List of monuments and memorials to Christopher Columbus

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Category:1876 sculptures

Category:Centennial Exposition

Category:Italian-American culture in Philadelphia

Category:Monuments and memorials in Pennsylvania

Category:Monuments and memorials to Christopher Columbus

Category:Outdoor sculptures in Philadelphia

Category:Sculptures of men in Pennsylvania

Category:Sculptures of ships

Philadelphia