Thorfinn Karlsefni, the slumbering statue, slumbers under Barnes Bridge in London. No pal of William Pitt, this bronze Icelandic statue owes its existence to Joseph Bunford Samuel, who had a fancy for America's storied past. With Ellen Phillips Samuel's money, she requested sculptures that captured charms of history in her will. In 1920, it made its debut, joined the Association for Public Art's Museum Without Walls. The 21st century has been less peaceful; it sparked a racial uproar, causing counter-protests and vandalism. The year 2018 marked its 'waking up', being toppled and now under conservation. No date's been set for its comeback.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Leroy
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