Charging Bull

Charging Bull, often referred to as the “Wall Street Bull,” is a 7,100-pound bronze sculpture by Arturo Di Modica. Originally a work of guerrilla art, the sculpture was created as a symbol of the “strength and power of the American people” following the 1987 stock market crash.

Italian sculptor Arturo Di Modica was born in Sicily in 1941. He is a contemporary artist who operated outside the traditional art world for most of his career. English sculptor Henry Moore nicknamed him the “young Michelangelo.” Di Modica died in 2021.

In December 1989, Di Modica secretly transported the sculpture into Lower Manhattan and installed it—without permission—beneath a Christmas tree outside the New York Stock Exchange as a “gift” to the people of New York. The sculpture was removed by police the same day, but widespread public support quickly transformed its fate. Within days, New York City officials—led by the Department of Parks and Recreation and supported by then-Mayor Ed Koch—approved its relocation to nearby Bowling Green, where it was reinstalled on December 20, 1989. 

What began as an unsanctioned act of artistic defiance soon became one of the most recognized public artworks in the world. The bull’s rapid embrace by both the public and city officials marked a rare moment in which grassroots enthusiasm effectively legitimized a work outside traditional commissioning channels. Its continued placement—technically still under a temporary permit—underscores its unique position between public art, protest, and civic identity. 

Over time, Charging Bull has evolved into a global symbol of financial optimism, resilience, and the spirit of Wall Street, attracting millions of visitors each year. Its meaning has continued to shift through public interaction and cultural dialogue, most notably with the addition ofFearless Girl in 2017, which reframed the sculpture within broader conversations about power, gender, and representation in the financial world. This ongoing reinterpretation highlights the work’s enduring relevance—not just as a symbol of economic strength, but as a dynamic piece of public art whose significance continues to evolve.

For inquiries to purchase this sculpture, call +1.242.676.6045.