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The Falconer

The Falconer is a bronze sculpture in Central Park, New York City by English sculptor George Blackall Simonds. It depicts a man in a theatrical version of Elizabethan dress standing on a high granite pedestal, releasing a hunting falcon. Cast in 1871 in Florence, it was erected in 1875 on a prominent rock overlooking the confluence of Terrace Drive and another carriage drive near the West 72nd Street drive entrance. The surrounding trees have partly obscured the site. The sculpture has also been vandalized over time; the original falcon was stolen, and in the 1960s the New York City Parks Department commissioned a replacement falcon, with the arm later re-fashioned by Parks employee Domenico Facci.

The Falconer bronze statue on a stone pedestal among trees in Central Park.
The Falconer bronze statue stands on a rocky rise in Central Park, surrounded by greenery.
August 2011 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Falconer bronze statue on a stone pedestal in Central Park, shown with a falcon on the raised arm.
The Falconer statue stands among the trees in Central Park, with the falcon poised on the figure’s arm.
May 2007 © · CC BY 3.0
The Falconer bronze statue of a man releasing a bird of prey on a stone pedestal among green foliage.
The Falconer sculpture by George Blackall Simonds stands on a rocky pedestal in Central Park.
July 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Falconer statue silhouetted against a bright sky in Central Park, with trees behind it.
The Falconer statue in Central Park, shown on a pedestal above a rock base and framed by trees.
July 2006 © · CC BY 2.0
The Falconer bronze statue seen from behind, standing on a stone pedestal with one arm raised.
The Falconer statue rises above the park on a stone pedestal.
March 2013 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

Other titlesSokolnik; Il falconiere
TitleThe Falconer

Historical context

Typebronze sculpture
Date created1871
Date unveiled31 May 1875

Creator

ArtistGeorge Blackall Simonds
Artist nationalityEnglish
Artist life dates1844–1929
Artist interestHe was an avid falconer
Artist portrait detailHe was later photographed with a falcon in his official portrait

Discovery and provenance

Exhibited atRoyal Academy of Arts exhibition in 1875
Replica unveiling date1875
Replica locationCentral Park, New York City
Replica typeFull-size replica
Original sculpture locationTrieste, Italy
Donor life dates1826–1893
Donor nationalityIrish
DonorGeorge Kemp
Commissioned byGeorge Kemp (1826–1893), a wealthy Irish-born merchant who later lived in New York

Physical characteristics

BaseCylindrical granite pedestal
Site supportA natural rock formation
HeightOver 11 meters
Falcon postureThe falcon is rising into the air
Figure descriptionA young falconer in Elizabethan costume holding a falcon on his raised left hand
Overall formA man in Elizabethan dress standing on a high pedestal, releasing a hunting falcon

Materials

Primary materialBronze
Base materialGranite

Technique

Casting methodLost-wax casting

Location and ownership

Current site conditionThe growth of surrounding trees has partly obscured the site
Original site at installationA prominent rock overlooking the confluence of Terrace Drive and another carriage drive near the West 72nd Street drive entrance
Installation siteOn the apex of a natural outcrop south of the 72nd Street Transverse and east of the West Drive in Central Park
Current locationCentral Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

History and restoration

VandalismThe sculpture suffered significant weather damage and vandalism, including theft of the falcon and damage to the supporting limb
1937 conservationIt was braced, supported, and refurbished by Central Park authorities
1957 removalIt was placed in storage in 1957 because of vandalism
1982 restorationA new arm and falcon were made and attached to the monument; the work was re-erected in Central Park
1995 restorationIt was restored to its original location in 1995 after cleaning, patination, and application of a protective coating against atmospheric agents
Replacement falconCommissioned in the 1960s by the New York City Parks Department; molded by Joel Rudnick; substantially different from the original falcon; now sits on the falconer's arm
Arm alterationThe supporting arm was re-fashioned by Domenico Facci, a Parks Department employee