The sculptor behind Wall Street's "Charging Bull" statue is threatening a lawsuit.
Italian-born sculptor Arturo di Modica says the city violated his legal rights when it allowed a private company behind the "Fearless Girl" statue to install it facing the bronze beast without permission.
Di Modica claims the presence of the girl infringes on his own artistic copyright by changing the creative dynamic to include the other bold presence.
The bronze figure was first placed on a traffic island near Wall Street on the eve of International Women's Day.
The young girl staring down the huge bull with hands planted on her hips quickly became a tourist magnet, drawing global attention on social media.
Di Modica says the statue is an "advertising trick" created by State Street Global Advisors, the Boston-based investment giant, and McCann, its New York advertising firm.
On Wednesday, attorneys for di Modica demanded that the "Fearless Girl" statue be removed.
"Are we filing a lawsuit? The answer is we never dismiss the possibility of litigation however in cases of public concern like this one, we always attempt to initially amicable resolve the issues and violations. That is precisely what we are attempting to do on behalf of Arturo, said his attorney Norman Siegel.
"Charging Bull" sculptor accusing NYC of violating his rights by allowing the "Fearless Girl" to be installed https://t.co/rbhNj2TIg6 pic.twitter.com/0s5RZnGbVx
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) April 12, 2017
