The New York Public Library’s Iconic Lions—Patience and Fortitude—To Be Restored

Photos of the lions here (by Jonathan Blanc / NYPL)

Media Contact: Amy Geduldig | AmyGeduldig@nypl.org

AUGUST 12, 2019—The New York Public Library’s iconic lions Patience and Fortitude are getting some much-needed TLC beginning the week of September 2.

The lions, which have guarded the 42nd Street library since 1911 and have become international symbols for open access to knowledge and information, are being cleaned, repaired, and conserved over nine weeks. The $250,000 project—which is set to begin the week of September 2—is being paid for with a generous grant from The New York Life Foundation and donations from hundreds of New Yorkers.

“The lions have earned some time at the spa,” said New York Public Library President Anthony W. Marx. “For over 100 years, they have stoically guarded our building on bustling Fifth Avenue, delighting visitors and providing calm hope at all times that with knowledge we will prevail. They are the true kings of this city, beloved by all. As great stewards of this building, it is critical that we maintain the lions and ensure that they are strong to inspire everyone for generations to come.”

“New York Life is committed to making a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work and the New York Public Library has been a longstanding partner in our effort to promote accessible educational opportunities in New York,” said Heather Nesle, president, New York Life Foundation. “As two of the oldest organizations in the city, we understand deeply that history and heritage provide a lens to the future. Preserving these symbols of patience and fortitude help connect our legacies to our paths forward and we’re pleased to support this effort as part of our nearly 80-year relationship with the library.”

Patience and Fortitude—carved in the Bronx studios of the Piccirilli Brothers and named by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia during the Depression because he believed New Yorkers needed “patience and fortitude” to survive the tough times—require conservation approximately every seven to 10 years. As they are made with porous Tennessee pink marble, snow, rain, wind, traffic exhaust, and other elements take their toll over time. The 108-year-old lions are currently in need of a cleaning, and have several minor cracks and chips that need to be repaired.

The lions were last conserved in 2011; before that 2004.

Following an assessment by WJE Engineers and Architects, the lions are slated to receive a series of conservation treatments, including filling any cracks with grout, doing a laser cleaning, and reinforcing any previous repairs. This work will be done by Integrated Conservation Contracting, and the lions will need to be covered in plywood enclosures for the duration of the work.

“We know it will be hard to have them covered for nine weeks, but we ask the public to have patience and fortitude,” said President Marx. “This work is critical and must be done.”

The restoration of the lions is part of several improvement projects currently underway at the Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, including the complete restoration of three ornamental plaster ceilings. One, located on the third floor, was completed on June 27; the other two—500-square-foot sections of ceiling above the two central staircases leading to McGraw Rotunda—are expected to be complete by September 30.

Over the years, the ornate ceilings sustained some damage due to leaks, and had been painted over in solid colors, losing their highlights and detail. Utilizing approximately $800,000 in private funding dedicated for building improvements, the Library—working again with WJE Engineers and Architects—decided to repair and restore the ceilings to their original beauty when the building opened in 1911.

“For so long, people had no way of knowing that these ceilings are so ornate,” said Gerry Oliva, the Library’s senior director of Facilities Management, who is handling both the ceilings and lions restorations. “They are works of art and they’re going to be beautiful. I enjoy seeing people stop in their tracks when they see the ceiling we completed and just stare at how beautiful it is. You can see they’re confused, thinking: that wasn’t there, was it?”

About The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.