Man in Despair

A depiction of a larger-than-life nude man. He is on his knees and has fallen forward to where his head is on the ground. One of his hands covers his face as he is experiencing great sorrow.

This sculpture was originally located at 63rd and Brookside. It was moved in 1988 or 1989 to Robert Gillham Park near the Kansas City Parks & Recreation Maintenance Building near 39th and Gillham. In 1994, this sculpture was suggested for another move. The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association requested that the sculpture be moved to what is now its present location and the Board of Parks & Recreation approved the location.

The artist, Jose Vasquez, is a former student of the Kansas City Art Institute. This sculpture was inspired by the works of Ernest Hemingway.