Statue of Leif Erikson (Boston) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leif Eriksson |
|
|---|---|
The statue from the west in 2019
|
|
| Artist | Anne Whitney |
| Year | 1885 |
| Medium | Bronze sculpture |
| Subject | Leif Erikson |
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| 42°20′56.5″N 71°5′29″W / 42.349028°N 71.09139°W | |
The Leif Eriksson statue is a cool outdoor sculpture in Boston, Massachusetts. It's located at the west end of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. This statue was put up in 1887. It was the very first public artwork in the New World to honor Leif Erikson, a famous Norse explorer. It was created by the artist Anne Whitney.
Contents
About the Leif Eriksson Statue
This statue is made of bronze. It stands about 102 inches (259 cm) tall. The statue rests on a red sandstone base, called a pedestal. This pedestal is about 108 inches (274 cm) high. At the bottom of the pedestal, there's a small boat made of stone.
Around the statue, there used to be a fountain. Now, that area has been changed into a pretty flower bed. The statue also has special carvings called runes. These are ancient letters used by Norse people.
What the Statue Says
The statue has an English message carved into it. It says: "Leif the Discoverer, Son of Erik, who sailed from Iceland and landed on this continent, AD 1000." This tells us about Leif Erikson's journey.
The statue shows Leif as a young man. He is lifting his left hand to his forehead. The artist, Anne Whitney, explained what this pose means. She said it shows a "man of the old world shading his vision against the glare of the new." This means he is looking out at the new land he discovered.
History of the Statue
A rich businessman named Eben Norton Horsford paid for the statue. He made his money from baking powder. Horsford wanted to promote the idea that Norse people explored North America long ago. He was inspired by conversations with a musician named Ole Bull and others.
When the Statue Was Unveiled
The statue was officially revealed in October 1887. There was a big celebration in Boston. People had a huge parade that went through Boston Common to Faneuil Hall. Important people, like Governor Oliver Ames, gave speeches at the event.
Keeping the Statue Safe
The artist, Anne Whitney, talked with Frederick Law Olmsted about where to put the statue. Olmsted was a famous landscape designer. Later, the statue was moved a bit because a road was changed.
In 1993, experts checked the statue as part of a program called "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" This program helps protect outdoor artworks. In 2007, the statue was cleaned because of rust. A special clear coating was put on it to keep it safe.
Other Leif Eriksson Statues
The Boston statue was so popular that copies were made.
Milwaukee Copy
Late in 1887, a copy of the statue was placed in Juneau Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This copy is called Leif, the Discoverer.
World's Fair Copy
A woman named Bertha Palmer asked for a plaster model of the statue. This was for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, a big world's fair. The plaster model was then covered in bronze. It was shown at the fair and later at the Smithsonian Institution. After that, it was put away in storage.
