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Civic Center Mall

Christopher Columbus

Francesco Pedrotti
1973

Description

Bronze, full-length, smaller-than-life size portrait of Columbus, dressed in period costume. In his right hand he holds a scroll. His left arm is bent; his proper left hand rests across his chest.

Inscription(s)

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

plaque on front of base:

gift to the
county of los angeles
to honor and perpetuate
the memory of the
discoverer of america
presented by the
united lodges of southern california
order sons of italy in america
dedicated
october 8, 1973

Annotation

Columbus is poised as if making a fervent speech in support of his proposal to reach China by sailing west. Absent from the picture, but whose presence is implied, are the King and Queen of Spain. This memorial relates Columbus to Italy by characterizing him as an explorer and navigator, while ignoring his role as an administrator, colonizer and messenger of Christianity for Spain.

Gift to the county of Los Angeles to honor and perpetuate the memory of the discovery of American. Presented by the United Lodges of Southern California Order Sons of Italy in America. Dedicated on October 8, 1973.

Donated by the 26 United Lodges of Southern California Order Sons of Italy in America. Alhambra - America, Montebello, Anaheim, Antelope Valley - A. P. Giannini, Costa Mesa, Arcadia, Burbank - Centinella Valley, Hawthorne, Downey, - Giuseppe Garibaldi, Bell Hacienda, Hacienda Heights, Hollywood, Lakewood, Long Beach - La Mille Querce, Thousand Oaks - Pugliese L. A., San Fernando Valley, Van Nuys, San Pedro, Santa Anna, South Gate, Tustin, Orange - Vitiorio Veneto, Los Angeles, West Covina, Cucamonga - Whit Mar, La Mirada.

An early rendition of the work was a 2.70 m tall statue standing on a 3.60 m pedestal, with a 1 m globe resting on a granite base next to the pedestal. This 6½ m tall monument was planned to be installed in the Los Angeles City owned Los Angeles Mall. However, when the $25,000 memorial to Columbus was unveiled in the County owned Civic Center Mall, the size of the statue and pedestal were greatly reduced and the globe was removed.

Sculptor

Francesco Pedrotti.

Sources & Information

Ruth Wallach, Public Art Works in the Los Angeles Civic Center and the Los Angeles Mall.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, SIRIS (Smithsonian Institution Research Information system).

Locatie (N 34°3'14" - W 118°14'40") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: usca10; Added: 1 January 2000 / Updated: 21 November 2010

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