Statue of Christopher Columbus (San Francisco) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Statue of Christopher Columbus |
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The statue in 2015
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| Artist | Count Vittorio di Colbertaldo |
| Year | 1957 |
| Medium | Bronze |
| Subject | Christopher Columbus |
| Dimensions | 370 cm (12 ft) |
| Weight | 2 ton |
| Location | Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| 37°48′10″N 122°24′22″W / 37.80278°N 122.40611°W | |
| Owner | San Francisco |
A statue of Christopher Columbus used to stand in Pioneer Park in San Francisco, California. It was a bronze statue created by an artist named Count Vittorio di Colbertaldo.
About the Statue
How it Came to Be
The statue was placed in Pioneer Park in 1957. It was a gift from the Italian-American community in San Francisco. This community includes people in the U.S. who have Italian heritage.
The artist who made the statue was Count Vittorio di Colbertaldo. He was from Verona, Italy. He was known for creating sculptures. This statue was made in Verona and then shipped to San Francisco.
Interestingly, Count Colbertaldo also made another statue of Christopher Columbus. This second statue can be found in Miami's Bayfront Park.
Why it Was Removed
In 2019, the statue was covered in red paint. This was an act of protest, meant to symbolize spilled blood. Cleaning the statue cost about $70,000.
On June 18, 2020, the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) decided to remove the statue. This happened during a time when many controversial statues were being taken down. These removals were part of the wider George Floyd protests.
Rachelle Axel from the SFAC explained the decision. She said the statue did not fit with San Francisco's values. It also did not align with the city's commitment to racial justice. There were also threats on social media to throw the statue into the San Francisco Bay.
