Gertrude Stein, adorned with urban flair, doesn't blend with NYC's common statue crowd. Yet, she's the leading lady in an unconventional tale that's as captivating as it is unique. In 1992, her bronze statue, a stone's throw from the New York Public Library on Stone Street, was unveiled, marking her literary achievements. However, this isn't your standard monument. The Lesbian Avengers, an LGBTQ+ troupe of bold activists, installed a temporary statue of Stein's partner, Alice B.
Toklas, nearby in 1993. That's right, these statues don't just gaze at the city, but they symbolize the enduring love between a lesbian trailblazer and her partner. Located in the heart of lively Bryant Park, next to the library, these statues stand much like Stein herself – a beacon of change and a testament to love's diverse forms. A bronze statue, sculpted by friend Jo Davidson in Paris in 1923, echoes Stein's 'eternal quality'. Davidson's modern depiction of Stein as a 'Buddha' invites reflection, leaves one awestruck and inspired.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Friendly Jane
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