Repairs to the Charging Bull statue in Lower Manhattan began Wednesday, following damages sustained last month by a man who repeatedly smashed the bull's horn with a metal banjo.
Arturo Di Modica, the Italian artist who designed and installed the 7,000-pound bronze sculpture in 1989, appeared to be present as the welder went to work. He had agreed to come from Sicily and personally oversee the project.
Polich Tallix, a fine art foundry in upstate New York, was hired to perform the job, which has been estimated as costing $15,000.
Last month's incident created a six-inch-long gash as well as other dents in the bull's right horn.
"Polich Tallix has a working relationship with Arturo di Modica and have completed some previous pieces for him in the past," Polich Tallix said in a statement published by WABC. "Since the repairs are happening now, the exact time it will take to be fixed is not entirely confirmed."
Tevon Varlack, 42, from Dallas, used what appeared to be a metal banjo to attack the bull while cursing President Donald Trump. He was arrested and charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
The sculpture, which has come to represent corporate greed, has taken a beating over the years, but Varlack's thrashing caused the most permanent injury by far.
Earlier this month, the bull was splattered in fake blood and dirt as part of a climate change protest.
