Attilio Piccirilli was just 20 years old when our ClockTower was built in 1886.
Born in the Carrara region of Italy,
he grew up around fine marble and sculptors.
He immigrated in 1888 and went to work for his father as a stone carver right here in the Bronx on East 142nd Street.
Attilio won a gold metal for his carving in 1915.
His sculptures are featured in the Frick and Metropolitan Museums.
He also helped create an art school to give affordable
training in art, like sculpture, to New York’s poor.
But his real claim to fame is Lincoln.
As in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
But you can see his work at the Fireman’s Memorial
on Riverside Drive, too!
