'Offensive' statue removed

The removal followed public complaints that the statue was too disturbing.

Artist Eric Fischl's bronze, "Tumbling Woman", depicts a naked woman falling from a building.

It went on view last week, and soon aroused controversy.

As the complaints grew, Rockefeller Center administrators put a screen around the statue on Wednesday, and later removed the work altogether.

"We apologise if anyone was upset or offended by the display of this sculpture," said Rockefeller Center spokeswoman Suzanne Halpin.

'Expression of sympathy'

In a statement, Mr Fischl said his work had never been intended to upset anybody.

"It was a sincere expression of deepest sympathy for the vulnerability of the human condition - both specifically toward the victims of 11 September and toward humanity in general," he said.

The work was initially to remain on display until next Monday.

A column in the New York Post columnist on Wednesday had called for the immediate withdrawal of the statue, saying it was not appropriate in such a public place.

Rockefeller Center, a complex of buildings in the heart of Manhattan, is one of New York's leading tourist attractions.