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Albert Bertel Thorvaldsen

This life-sized statue is a bronze casting of a marble self-portrait by Danish sculptor Albert Thorvaldsen (1770 - 1844). Thorvaldsen was a proponent of neoclassical sculpture and was strongly influenced by Antonio Canova. The original sculpture was carved in 1839 with the left arm resting on a figure of Hope (a 1817 sculpture). The pedestal includes a bas-relief medallion of his work Night and Day.

This replica was cast in Copenhagen in 1892 and the sculpture was originally placed north of 59th Street between 6th and 7th avenues. It was later moved to 97th Street at 5th avenue before coming in 1940 to this triangular knoll that was created when the eastbound lane of the 97th street transverse road added to connect to 96th Street. (reference)

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