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Simón Bolívar Equestrian Statue

The equestrian statue of Simón Bolívar is a bronze monument by Sally James Farnham, mounted on a black granite pedestal designed by Clarke and Rapuano. It was a gift from the Government of Venezuela to New York City, cast in 1919 and first installed on April 19, 1921. The sculpture honors Bolívar’s military leadership and Pan-American ideals. Originally placed on Summit Rock in Central Park, it was moved to its current location in 1951. The monument stands among other Latin American liberator statues, including those of José de San Martín and José Martí.

Simón Bolívar equestrian statue on a stone pedestal with men gathered below and a floral wreath at its base.
The Simón Bolívar equestrian statue stands in a city setting, with a floral wreath and several men gathered at its base.
1944 © US Gov · Public domain
Simón Bolívar Equestrian Statue on a rearing horse, seen as a bronze silhouette against the sky and trees.
The Simón Bolívar Equestrian Statue rises on a dark pedestal near Central Park South.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
Simón Bolívar Equestrian Statue seen above a white bus, with the rider on horseback silhouetted against trees.
The Simón Bolívar Equestrian Statue rises above traffic near the street below.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
Simón Bolívar Equestrian Statue partially obscured by a large bus in front of trees.
The Simón Bolívar Equestrian Statue is visible in the background behind a bus near the trees.
© · CC BY-SA 4.0
Black and white photograph of the Simón Bolívar equestrian statue with a worker standing beside its base.
The Simón Bolívar equestrian statue, shown in a workshop setting with a worker beside the monumental base.
© Bain News Service, publisher · Public domain

Identification

TitleMonument to Simón Bolívar
TypeEquestrian statue
Depicted personSimón Bolívar
Alternative titleSimón Bolívar Monument

Location and ownership

LocationCentral Park, Manhattan, New York City, United States
Nearby related monumentsShares space with statues of other Latin American liberators, including José de San Martín and José Martí

Creator

SculptorSally James Farnham

Materials

Sculpture materialBronze
Pedestal materialBlack granite
Pedestal designerClarke and Rapuano

History and restoration

Relocation date19 April 1951
ConservationConserved by the Adopt-a-Monument Program in 1988
Rededication date19 April 1951
Dedication date19 April 1921
Original bronze cast date1919

Discovery and provenance

Gift fromGovernment of Venezuela
Gift recipientCity of New York
First Venezuelan gift of a Bolívar statue to New York1884
Earlier proposal sculptorRafael de la Cova
Second proposal year1897
Second proposal sculptorGiovanni Turini
Competition announced1916
Competition winnerSally James Farnham

Appearance

ThemeMilitary leadership and Pan-American ideals of Bolívar

Significance

Historical significanceSymbol of the Pan-American ideal and of the historical link between Latin America and the United States

Iconography and meaning

Associated liberated countriesVenezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Panama