WINNIPEG WEATHER

Golden Boy placed on legislature one century ago

November 21, 2019, marks the 100th anniversary since the Golden Boy was placed on top of the Manitoba Legislature Building.

The Golden Boy officially named the Eternal Youth and the Spirit of Enterprise was modelled after the Greek god Hermes.

French artist Georges Gardet sculpted the statue and cast it in bronze during the First World War. The journey to the keystone province was delayed for quite some time. After it was cast the Golden Boy was placed in the hold of a ship but the ship was commandeered to move troops and supplies for the war effort. The heavy statue stayed on board as ballast, toured the Mediterranean Sea before making five crossings of the Atlantic before finally reaching Manitoba.

“One hundred years ago today, the Golden Boy was placed atop the dome, where he has become one of Manitoba’s most-recognized landmarks,” said Central Services Minister Reg Helwer.  “The statue is positioned to face north and symbolizes the province’s prosperity and entrepreneurial spirit.” 

The Golden Boy stands 17.2 feet tall. It was first gilded in 1951 with 23.5-Karat gold leaf. In 2002 the statue was removed from the dome of the legislature building so that repairs could be done on the building. While it was down it was repaired and then placed on display at the Manitoba Museum before returning to its vantage point overlooking the province.

© News4.ca 2020

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