In an unexpected twist for the art world, a bronze statue of Melania Trump has gone missing from Sevnica, Slovenia, leaving only its feet and the tree stump it was mounted on behind. Created by American artist Brad Downey and unveiled in September 2020, the sculpture represented the former First Lady during her time in the White House. Its disappearance shortly follows her departure from D.C. and has prompted local authorities to treat the incident as theft, sparking an investigation.
The statue, which first appeared on the banks of the River Sava in July 2020, is not the first tribute to the former model to meet an unfortunate fate. An earlier wooden version carved by local artisan Ales "Maxi" Zupevc was destroyed during a Fourth of July celebration in 2019. Following that loss, Downey commissioned a bronze replica meant to withstand adverse actions. However, it too has faced an unceremonious exit.
Downey has been vocal about the political statements behind his work, associating Melania Trump with themes of immigration and her husband's controversial policies. He speculates that the statue's theft may be linked to political sentiments surrounding Trump’s potential re-election. Local authorities in Sevnica expressed their disapproval of any vandalism but acknowledged that the image of Melania Trump may not hold pride in their community.
As the search for the missing statue continues, the saga serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between art, politics, and local sentiment in the life and legacy of Melania Trump.
