Did you know that the marble lions proudly guarding the New York Public Library at Fifth Avenue are named Patience and Fortitude? Often called New York’s most lovable public sculpture, the lions have witnessed countless parades and been adorned with holly wreaths during the winter holidays and magnificent floral wreaths in springtime. They have been photographed alongside countless tourists, replicated as bookends, caricatured in cartoons, and illustrated in numerous children books. One even served as the hiding place for the cowardly lion in the motion picture The Wiz.
Sculpter Edward Potter was paid 8,000 dollars in 1911 for the design and the Piccirilli Brothers executed the carving for 5,000 dollars out of pink Tennessee marble.After enduring almost a century of weather and pollution they were professionally cleaned and restored in 2004.
Their nicknames have changed over the decades. First they were called Leo Astor and Leo Lenox, after The New York Public Library founders John Jacob Astor and James Lenox. During the 1930’s, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia named them Patience and Fortitude, for the qualities he felt New Yorkers would need to survive the economic depression. Those names have stood the test of time: Patience guards the south side of the library’s steps and Fortitude to the north.
As a tribute to the lions’ popularity and all that they stand for, the library adopted these figures as its mascots. They are trademarked by the library, represented in it’s logo, and featured at major occasions.
