Photo: Wikimedia
Commons. The
Columbus Monument at the south west (main) entrance to
Central Park at 59th Street and Central Park West (and Broadway), created by
Italian sculptor Gaetano Russo and dedicated in 1892. By the 1930s it was
severely stained by soot, its base was cracked by vibration, and natural
veins in the sculpture itself were opened by vibration and weathering. It
was cleaned and restored by the New Deal Monument Restoration Project under
Karl Gruppe. And by 2011, when this photo was taken, it was badly in need
of another restoration!
References:
- Maine
Monument, New York City Parks website.
- Parks
Monuments Conservation Crew Vintage Film, c.1934 to 1937, NYC Parks
Department archive. Video segment 31:37-32:53. “With support from the
Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) this film was taken in
the 1930s by Karl Gruppe (1893-1982), chief sculptor of the Monument
Restoration Project of the New York City Parks Department, from 1934 to
1937....“
- New York City Parks
Department press release of April 11, 1937: “Mr. Gruppe has
been in charge of the monument restoration projects of the Park Department
since early 1934 and has superintended the rehabilitation of many of the
City's monuments since that time, notable among these projects have been the
Maine Memorial and the Columbus Monument at Columbus Circle...”
- Lowrey, Carol, A Legacy of Art: Paintings and Sculptures by Artist Life Members of the
National Arts Club, Hudson Hills (2007): “Gruppe was
closely involved in the conservation of New York's public sculptures from
1934 to 1937, during which time, under the auspices of the New York City
Department of Parks' Monument Restoration Project and Public Works of Art
Project, he chaired a committee of sculptors who oversaw the restoration
of significant monuments and fountains throughout the city.”
- History of New Deal Art
Projects: “In 1933 and 1934, during the period of The Great
Depression, the Federal government's Public Works of Art Project
(PWAP) was organized by the Civil Works Administration. The general
purpose of the program was to give work to artists by arranging to have
competent representatives of the profession embellish public buildings. This
program lasted less than one year, yet it provided employment for
approximately 3,700 artists who created nearly 15,000 works of art. In 1935,
a similar project, the Federal Art Project (FAP) was established by the
Works Progress Administration (WPA). The Federal Art Project continued until
1943...”
- New Deal Assistance in
NYC Parks Department Projects, 1934-43.