Fiorello LaGuardia

  • Sculptor: Neil Estern
  • Dedicated: 1994
  • Medium and size: Bronze (life-size), granite pedestal (approximately 2.75 feet)
  • Location: East side of La Guardia place, north of Bleecker Street
Neil Estern, Fiorello La Guardia, 1994. Photo copyright © 2019 Dianne L. Durante

December 11, 1882: Birth of Fiorello LaGuardia

This striding, gesticulating, chattering figure is one of the most charming and energetic portrait statues in Manhattan – no matter what one thinks of the politician represented. LaGuardia (1882-1947) was born near the site of this statue, on Sullivan St.  He became the first Italian-American congressman in 1916, and cosponsored the Norris-LaGuardia Act that restricted federal courts from issuing injunctions to stop labor disputes.

In 1933 he was elected mayor of New York. During his 12-year term, he took control of the City’s two privately run subway lines, consolidated much of NYC government, and cracked down on illegal gambling. He hired as director of the Parks Department the dictatorial Robert Moses, who oversaw an enormous expansion of the NYC parks through the 1930s and 1940s. LaGuardia also appealed directly to the federal government for funds for New York’s bridges, tunnels, reservoirs, sewer systems, highways, schools, hospitals, and airports. (The West Side Highway, East River Drive, Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Triborough Bridge and the airport that now bears his name were all constructed during his tenure.) By the time LaGuardia left office, New York had a heavy debt, facilities it could not afford to maintain, and a burgeoning bureaucracy.

And this from a man who ran as a Republican! Tut, tut.

La Guardia and the Big Fish

In 1939, La Guardia was photographed with a 300-pound halibut at the Fulton Fish Market. Don’t ask me why.

Photo: Library of Congress

More

  • Four mayors attended the dedication of the LaGuardia statue: Beame, Koch, Dinkins and Giuliani.
  • Neil Estern’s other works include a bust of JFK in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.
  • A bust of  LaGuardia by Jo Davidson stands near the LaGuardia Houses in lower Manhattan (Madison between Clinton and Jefferson Sts.).
  • For more on this sculpture, see Outdoor Monuments of Manhattan.
  • In Getting More Enjoyment from Sculpture You Love, I demonstrate a method for looking at sculptures in detail, in depth, and on your own. Learn to enjoy your favorite sculptures more, and find new favorites. Available on Amazon in print and Kindle formats. More here.
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