Arturo Di Modica spent approximately $360,000 of his own money to cast and install the statue.
The artist originally dropped the bull in front of the New York Stock Exchange in the middle of the night as a guerrilla art stunt.
The New York City Police Department initially impounded the statue before it was granted a permanent location at Bowling Green.
Di Modica held the rights to the sculpture for several years, eventually selling it under the condition that it never be removed from its location.
The bull's posture, with its head lowered and horns flared, is intended to capture the animal ready to charge forward.
The statue is officially classified as public property, though it is maintained through private efforts funded by the Alliance for Downtown New York.
The bronze surface has become significantly polished on the bull's horns and snout due to constant physical contact from tourists.
The sculptor was sued by the city at the time of the 1989 drop for not having a permit, but public outcry led to its public acceptance.
Charging Bull is a 7,100-pound bronze sculpture located at Bowling Green in Manhattan's Financial District. Created by Italian artist Arturo Di Modica, the statue was installed without a permit in 1989 to symbolize the 'bullish' strength and resilience of the American people following the 1987 stock market crash. The sculpture measures 11 feet tall and 16 feet long. It is anchored to a concrete base and remains a permanent fixture of the public plaza. The statue is a frequent site for protests, art installations, and tourist photography. It serves as an unofficial gateway to the nearby Wall Street area.
Position yourself at the front left side to capture the bull's face and horns with the Financial District buildings in the background.
Visit during the very early morning to avoid the massive crowds that gather throughout the day.
Be prepared to wait in a queue if you intend to take a photograph directly in front of or touching the statue.
Be mindful of the heavy vehicle traffic surrounding the plaza, as the statue is situated on a traffic island.
Avoid midday and weekend afternoons when the area becomes extremely congested with pedestrians.
