Statue of Polish King Jagiello in Central Park

The largest statue in New York City’s Central Park is the Status of Polish King Jagiello.

In 1939, the huge bronze monument was designed and cast for the Polish Pavillion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. When war broke out in Poland in 1939 the statue stayed in New York. In 1945 the pre-Communist consul of Poland in New York presented the statue to the City of New York. The statue stands on the east side of the Turtle Pond across from Belvedere Castle (for those folks familiar with Central Park.) The word POLAND is inscribed on the base. 
 
The statue captures a victorious moment in a 1410 battle when King Jagiello, crosses the two swords handed to him by his adversaries, the Teutonic Knights of the Cross (precursors of modern Germany.) 
 
I found one estimate of physical size that listed the base as over ten feet high, and the seated figure on horseback as over fifteen feet high. I don’t live near New York City, so will rely on those measurements. Other descriptions read ‘imposing’ and ‘largest in Central Park.’  If I ever get to Central Park I will look up the statue in person.
 
I can only imagine that Henry must have been impressed to see such a prominent reminder of his homeland in his new neighborhood. We never discussed it, but now I recognize the photo from his album. 
 
Sources: http://www.centralparknyc.org; Wikipedia for general info. 
(Color photos on the Internet are far more impressive than this small black and white photo.)
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