The sculptures are modeled after African lions.[3] Each sculpture weighs more than two
tons.[3][4][5]
The sculptures stand outside of the
Art Institute of Chicago Building.[4] The artist, Kemeys, described the statues as "guarding the building."[6] He described the northern lion as positioned "on the
prowl," and said that it "has his back up, and is ready for a roar and a spring." He described the southern lion as positioned "in an attitude of defiance" and "attracted by something in the distance which he is closely watching."[4][5][6] Kemeys referred to the design of the southern sculpture as "the most difficult I have ever attempted."[7]
Kemeys' Lions for the Art Institute of Chicago often are described as being
bronze re-castings of temporary
plaster lion sculptures that were displayed on the grounds of the 1893
World's Columbian Exposition, flanking the Palace of Fine Arts (today's
Museum of Science and Industry building).[5][6] However, documents and photographs from the World's Fair support the lions displayed at the World's Columbian Exposition having been instead created by
A. Phimister Proctor and Theodore Baur, not Kemeys.[9] The bronze sculptures for the Art Institute of Chicago were commissioned by
Florence Lathrop Field, an early benefactor of the museum.[5] Fields' late husband
Henry Field had been an admirer of Kemeys' sculptures, and her brother
Bryan Lathrop, a trustee of the Art Institute, had been a patron of Kemeys.[10]
After the board of trustees of the Art Institute of Chicago had made a decision for there to be guardian lion sculptures outside of the new museum building, the president of the board of trustees,
Charles L. Hutchinson, favored commissioning such as work from one of a dozen better-known sculptors. Those considered included
Augustus Bauer,
Daniel Chester French,
Frederick William Macmonnies,
Philip Martiny, and
Augustus Saint-Gaudens.[10] Bryan Lathrop wrote him in September of 1892, strongly recommending he choose Kemeys. Lathrop proposed having his sister, Florence Lathrop Field, acquire and gift the Art Institute such sculptures.[10] Lathrop stated that Field had wanted to donate them anonymously. However, in voting to accept the gift on January 31, 1893, the board of trustees executive committee also voted to thank the donor.[10]
The sculptures were cast in Chicago by the American Bronze Founding Company in 1893,[4] and were unveiled on May 10, 1894.[4][3]
The lions are occasionally decorated. The lions are, nowadays, decorated in the
winter holiday season with
wreaths and
bows in an annual "wreathing of the lions" ceremony.[5] Often, when a Chicago major league sports team is making a strong postseason run, the sculptures will be adorned to show support for the team.[5]
In 2018, as part of the public art exhibit Statue Stories of Chicago,
QR codes were installed near each statues that, if scanned, would allow the lions to "speak".[12] One was voiced by
Mandy Patinkin, and the other by
Tracy Letts.[3]
^Jones, Paul (21 November 2018).
"The Lions of Michigan Avenue". www.artic.edu. Art Institute of Chicago.
Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.