Arturo Di Di Modica

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Di_Modica

Arturo Di Modica (January 26, 1941 – February 19, 2021) was an Italian-born, American sculptor, widely known for his Charging Bull sculpture which he dropped outside of the New York Stock Exchange on December 15, 1989, as his gift to the United States. He arrived in New York penniless in 1970 and rose to success. In 1987, Black Monday struck the U.S. stock markets by which point Di Modica felt indebted to the country. Charging Bull was intended by Di Modica to inspire everyone who came into contact with it to carry on fighting through hard times for the future.[1]

In 2018, Di Modica was quoted by art writer Anthony Haden Guest describing his motivation for Charging Bull as "My point was to show people that if you want to do something in a moment things are very bad, you can do it. You can do it by yourself. My point was that you must be strong".[2]

Di Modica received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1999. He was represented by art dealer Jacob Harmer.[3]