On the northwest corner of Liberty St. and Broadway, in the heart of Downtown Manhattan, stands a striking bronze statue titled Double Check by sculptor J. Seward Johnson II. Depicting a businessman engrossed in his briefcase, this artwork holds a powerful story, one that links it to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. It has become a lasting symbol of endurance in the face of catastrophe.
The Vision of J. Seward Johnson II
J. Seward Johnson was an artist known for creating life-like statues that captured the essence of ordinary people. His sculptures often depicted everyday moments, elevating the mundane to the level of fine art. With this approach, he sought to highlight the beauty in daily life.
In 1982, Johnson created Double Check, a bronze figure of a businessman sitting on a bench, absorbed in the contents of his briefcase. The briefcase holds office items like files, a large calculator, and a tape recorder. The statue was meant to symbolize the average businessman of 1980s Wall Street, reflecting the energy and pace of corporate life during that era.
From Liberty Plaza to Ground Zero
Originally installed in Liberty Plaza Park (now known as Zuccotti Park), Double Check as a loan to Merrill Lynch, where it became part of the park’s landscape throughout the 80s and 90s. However, on September 11, 2001, everything changed. After the collapse of the World Trade Center, the area around Liberty Plaza was filled with destruction. In the chaos, Double Check was found covered in dust and debris.
As The New York Times reported, “…with everything in ruins, one figure remained…sitting hunched over, staring in his briefcase, a businessman who seemed to be in shock and despair. Rescue workers approached him in the chaos to offer assistance only to discover he was not a man at all, but a sculpture.”
In the days following the attack, the statue became a place of remembrance. People left flowers and candles, honoring those who had lost their lives. The sculpture had unintentionally become a memorial, standing as a silent witness to the tragedy.
Restoration and Return
Following the devastation, Johnson repaired the statue but chose to leave some of the marks and damage caused by the attacks. In 2006, Double Check was reinstalled in Zuccotti Park. Later, it was moved to its current location at the corner of Liberty Street and Broadway, where it now stands as a symbol of survival and strength. The statue’s placement at this corner, once a site of destruction, serves as a reminder of the city’s ability to rebuild and persevere.