Alice in Wonderland sculpture

Alice in Wonderland
Artist	Jose de Creeft
Year	1959 (1959)
Medium	Bronze sculpture
Subject	Alice in Wonderland
Location	New York City
Coordinates	40°46′30.1″N73°57′59.6″W / 40.775028°N 73.966556°W / 40.775028; -73.966556
Owner	Central Park donated by George Delacorte

The Alice in Wonderland sculpture is located at Central Park in Manhattan, New York City, U.S. It is approximately at 74th Street, on the north side of Conservatory Water. The bronze statue by Jose de Creeft stands eleven feet high and portrays Alice surrounded by the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat and other characters from Lewis Carroll's 1865 book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland enjoying a tea party. ^[1]

History

The statue was created in 1959 by José de Creeft under the commission of George Delacorte, so children could experience Alice in Wonderland in person. The sculpture was originally cast at the Long Island Modern Art Foundry in the Steinway Mansion. ^[2] The sculpture is unique because visitors are encouraged to interact with the statue. The statue is made of bronze and was derived from images John Tenniel created for the original publication. The face of Alice is actually based on Creeft's daughter, Donna. ^[1] The sculpture's Mad Hatter is a caricature of George Delacorte. ^[3]

At the base of the sculpture are engravings from Lewis Carrol's poem Jabberwocky. ^[4] The sculpture was dedicated to George's wife Margarita whose name is located at the base of the sculpture. Additionally, there are six plaques located around the base of the sculpture that depict her favorite moments from Alice in Wonderland. ^[5]

The sculpture has been seen in many films and television episodes, including the season 8 finale of The Blacklist where Elizabeth Keen is killed. ^[6]

Controversies

• The statue was the subject of a foiled terrorist plot in April 2020. Kevin Fallon was arrested for plotting to blow up the statue, as well as threatening to kill several others. He was sentenced to psychiatric care and evaluation. ^{[7] [8]}
• There has been an ongoing debate since the sculpture was erected within the city of NY, over whether the statue depicts the White Rabbit, or the March Hare. ^[9]

Gallery

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See also

• Mushrooms in art
• Central Park Boathouse
• Works based on Alice in Wonderland

References

1. "Alice in Wonderland". Central Park Conservancy. September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
2. "The History Behind Central Park's Beloved Alice in Wonderland Sculpture". Viewing NYC. April 25, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
3. Xu, Susan (April 25, 2017). "Alice in Wonderland Statue in Central Park Has Roots at the Modern Art Foundry in Astoria". Untapped New York. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
4. Fishbein, Rebecca (April 16, 2015). "The 16 Best Public Art Pieces In NYC". Gothamist. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
5. "Alice in Wonderland (Central Park) – Dianne L. Durante, Writing Addict + Adept" . Retrieved November 15, 2023.
6. "'The Blacklist' finale recap: A blessed life, a tragic end". EW.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
7. Burke, Kerry; Parascandola, Rocco; Tracy, Thomas (April 14, 2020). "'I am lethal' — NYC man accused of plotting to blow up Central Park's Alice in Wonderland statue, kill parents and girlfriend". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
8. "Man Threatened to Bomb Central Park 'Alice in Wonderland' Statue: Police". NBC New York. April 15, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
9. Barron, James (March 13, 2016). "Resolving the Nagging, if Minor, Mysteries of New York City". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved September 12, 2023.