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Group of Four Trees

A towering, abstract masterpiece by Jean Dubuffet, this four-story sculpture blends surreal shapes and vivid colors in the heart of the Financial District at 28 Liberty Street.

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Group of Four Trees
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Where is the Group of Four Trees located?

The sculpture is located in the public plaza of 28 Liberty Street (formerly One Chase Manhattan Bank Plaza) in the Financial District of Manhattan, off Pine Street between Nassau and William Streets.

What is the Group of Four Trees known for?

It is an abstract outdoor sculpture by French artist Jean Dubuffet that stands four stories tall. At the time of its installation, it was among the largest sculptures in New York City and was described by the New York Times as looking like a cross-pollination of a jigsaw puzzle and mammoth Alice-in-Wonderland mushrooms.

Who created the sculpture and why?

The sculpture was created by Jean Dubuffet and commissioned in 1969 by American banker David Rockefeller to mark his 25th anniversary at Chase Manhattan Bank.

When was it installed?

The sculpture was unveiled in October 1972, after being fabricated in France and reassembled on the plaza over eight weeks.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Group of Four Trees is a monumental abstract outdoor sculpture created by French artist Jean Dubuffet. Commissioned in 1969 by American banker David Rockefeller to celebrate his 25th anniversary at Chase Manhattan Bank, the work was unveiled in October 1972. It holds a special place in art history as Dubuffet's first outdoor sculpture installed in the United States. The sculpture stands four stories tall, making it one of the largest artworks in New York City at the time of its installation. Its surreal appearance was famously described by the New York Times as a weird cross-pollination of mammoth Alice-in-Wonderland mushrooms and a jig saw puzzle. To achieve this scale, the piece was prefabricated in sections at Dubuffet's studio in Périgny, France, then shipped to New York in over a dozen pieces. Reassembling the work required a specialized crew of five French and four American workers who spent eight weeks putting the pieces together on the plaza. While the sculpture was last painted and restored in 2001, it remains a striking focal point of the public plaza. The surrounding property, originally One Chase Manhattan Bank Plaza, was sold in 2013 to the Fosun Corporation, a Chinese conglomerate based in Shanghai. Today, the sculpture resides on Fosun Plaza at 28 Liberty Street, situated off Pine Street between Nassau and William Streets. The plaza serves as a dynamic community hub, hosting public activations such as the NYC Math Festival and the Sing for Hope Pianos program.

Visitor tips

  • Visit the plaza between 9 AM and 6 PM to potentially see public art activations like the Sing for Hope Pianos.
  • Look up to appreciate the full four-story scale of the piece against the backdrop of the 28 Liberty tower.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes as the sculpture is located in a high-traffic pedestrian area between Nassau and William Streets.

Nearby context

Located in the dense Financial District, the sculpture sits at 28 Liberty Street (formerly One Chase Manhattan Bank Plaza). It provides a colorful, organic contrast to the rigid geometry of the surrounding corporate towers and the bustling activity of nearby Pine Street.

Sources

Evidence and links