Bolivar, Simon

The first statue of Bolivar, placed in New York City in 1891, was removed because critics believed it did not live up to the original artistic vision. In 1916, the Venezuelan government sponsored a worldwide competition to select a sculptor to render Bolívar. Out of the 20 entrants, the committee selected Sally James Farnham, a relatively unknown artist. Farnham’s statue depicts Bolívar in full military dress upon his steed.  At the time it was both the largest monument sculpted by a woman and the only equestrian monument of a man created by a female artist. It took five years to complete and earned her the Order of Bolivar (the greatest civilian honor given by the Venezuelan government).

ShareShare on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInGoogle+Email to someone