Charioteer plucked from State Capitol roof
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
There was a dramatic ouster at the state Capitol today, but it had nothing to do with politics.
Construction workers, using a large crane, removed the chariot driver from the building’s Quadriga statue. The temporary removal is needed to repair corrosion on the surface of the chariot, according to the Department of Administration.
The figure will also be repaired and gilded. The repairs are expected to take about three months.
The Quadriga is gold-leafed copper and steel. The statue’s official title is "Progress of the State." It was sculpted by Daniel Chester French (sculptor of the giant Abraham Lincoln statue at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.) and Edward Potter and first placed on the Capitol in 1906.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
Here’s what the Minnesota Historical Society says about the symbolism of the statue:
The four horses represent the power of nature: earth, wind, fire and water. The women symbolize civilization and the man standing on the chariot represents prosperity.
The entire group of figures was removed for restoration work in 1994.