Dante Alighieri Statue – New York City

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Among the tree-lined surroundings of Dante Park at Broadway and 64th Street stands a powerful bronze figure, the statue of Dante Alighieri, one of Italy’s greatest poets and a literary titan whose epic vision reshaped the course of Western literature. Somber, austere, and majestic, this statue is a fitting tribute to the author of The Divine Comedy, whose legacy transcends both time and geography.

The statue was sculpted by Ettore Ximenes, a celebrated Italian artist, and was installed in 1921 as a gift from New York's Italian-American community to commemorate the 600th birth anniversary of Dante. Its location, directly across from Lincoln Center, places it at the intersection of art, culture, and civic life in the city.

Dante Alighieri Statue – New York City
Dante Alighieri Statue – New York City


Cast in bronze and mounted on a granite pedestal, Dante is depicted in a full-length standing pose, clad in traditional medieval robes. He holds a large book close to his chest,  prominently inscribed “D. COMMEDIA”, referencing his magnum opus, Divina Commedia, the monumental poetic journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. His right hand rests gently on the cover, as if in defense of truth and intellectual conviction.

Dante’s head is crowned with a laurel wreath, a classical emblem of poetic genius, and his facial expression is serious and contemplative, conveying the moral and philosophical weight of his literary vision. His brow is furrowed, the eyes deeply set, and his mouth tightly drawn,  a face more carved by conviction than by sentiment.

Dante Alighieri Statue – New York City
Dante Alighieri Statue – New York City


The folds of his robe are rendered with strong vertical lines, creating a sense of uprightness and stillness. There is no flourish or dynamic movement; instead, the statue radiates a quiet gravity, emphasizing Dante’s role as a thinker, writer, and visionary rather than a political figure or warrior.

This statue not only celebrates a literary figure but also serves as a cultural anchor for the Italian-American community in New York. In a bustling modern city, the figure of Dante invites reflection on timeless questions of morality, justice, and the human condition, themes at the heart of his great poetic journey.

How to Reach

The Dante statue is located in Dante Park, at the intersection of Broadway and 64th Street, in front of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City. It is easily accessible by subway from the 66th Street – Lincoln Center station.

Location: Dante Park, New York City
Year Installed: 1921
Sculptor: Ettore Ximenes
Material: Bronze on granite pedestal
Subject: Dante Alighieri (1265–1321), author of The Divine Comedy

Happy travelling.


Location: New York, NY, USA

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