Hans Christian Andersen
Outdoor public sculpture, figurative cast bronze statue • Georg John Lober (American, 1891–1961), with landscape design by Otto Frederick Langmann.
Style & Movement
Mid-20th-century traditional figurative realism.
Medium & Technique
Cast bronze using the lost-wax process, finished with a dark brown patina, mounted on a granite bench base.
Creation Period
Commissioned in 1955, dedicated in 1956 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the author's birth.
Dimensions & Format
The bronze figure is approximately 8 feet tall if standing; the granite base and bench measures roughly 12 feet in width. It is a full-round sculptural monument.
Subject Description
A larger-than-life representation of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen seated on a granite bench. He is depicted reading from his book 'The Ugly Duckling,' with a small bronze figure of the duckling looking up at him. The composition encourages public interaction, as children and tourists often sit on the bench next to the figure.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent/Very Good. As a frequented public monument in New York's Central Park, it is well-maintained but shows characteristic 'burnishing' or polishing on the bronze knees and book from constant tactile interaction with the public.
Estimated Market Value
As a permanent public monument, it is technically priceless/non-transactional. If a comparable cast appeared on the market, it would likely be valued between $250,000 and $500,000 based on scale and Lober's reputation.
Auction Estimate
Estimated at $150,000–$300,000 for a unique large-scale civic cast by a noted American academic sculptor.
Provenance History
Commissioned by the Danish-American Women's Association with contributions from American and Danish schoolchildren; gifted to the City of New York in 1956. Located at Conservatory Water in Central Park.
Art Historical Significance
One of the most beloved and interactive sculptures in Central Park. It represents the link between Danish literature and American culture and serves as a focal point for the Central Park storytelling tradition, which has occurred at its base since the 1950s.
Notable Features
The sculpture features the open pages of 'The Ugly Duckling' in high relief and a highly expressive, pensive facial expression on the author; the 'polished' bronze surfaces caused by decades of children sitting on the statue is a unique characteristic of its social history.
Condition Issues
Surface wear on the patina due to heavy public contact (sitting, climbing, rubbing), localized oxidation (verdigris) in recessed areas of the bronze, and weathering of the granite joints.
Conservation Recommendations
Regular application of protective microcrystalline wax, annual cleaning to remove environmental pollutants, and monitoring for structural integrity of the granite mount.