Christopher Columbus, 1933
Carl Brioschi and
Clarence H. Johnston
Grant Park
East of South Columbus
Drive and north of East Roosevelt Road
Carl Brioschi (1879-1941), an Italian-born and trained
sculptor collaborated with architect Clarence H. Johnston on this elaborate
monument to Christopher Columbus that was dedicated on August 3, 1933 (Italian
Day) during A Century of Progress, the
second World’s Fair held in Chicago. The celebratory speeches at the event
included a message, read by the Italian ambassador, from Italian Prime Minister
Benito Mussolini, as well as a comparison between Columbus’ vision of a “new
world” to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s vision of a “new society.”
The 15-foot tall bronze figure of Columbus, holding
scroll map in hand, is fashioned in the realistic manner associated with the
Beaux Arts style of an earlier era, while the granite base, including a
circular plaza and curved exedra exhibits the more streamlined Art Deco style
of the 1920s and 1930s. The base features four shallow-relief roundels that
depict Columbus’ flagship, the Santa Maria; Paolo Toscanelli, astronomer and
mathematician who charted the course; Amerigo Vespucci, eponym of America; and
the seal of the city of Genoa, the birthplace of Columbus and city that contributed
materials for the monument. Four carved figures ornament the corners of the
pedestal, understood to represent faith, courage, freedom and “strength of
character,” although the fourth one was the source of later controversy. The
square-jawed figure bore some resemblance to Mussolini, but the artist’s son
explained that it was intended simply as a “Roman head.”
Other works that commemorate Christopher Columbus:
Other works that commemorate Christopher Columbus:
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