Lioness Carrying to Her Young a Wild Boar - Philadelphia, PA
N 39° 58.300 W 075° 11.825
18S E 483170 N 4424631
When you visit this amazing zoo, be sure and visit the Big Cat Falls. Out front is this beautiful, life-like sculpture of a lioness feeding her cubs a side of pork. The sculpture, over 125 years old has been here since 1950.
Waymark Code: WMD847
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 12/03/2011
Views: 6
There are a few lion statues which can be found at this amazing zoo/sculpture garden. This sculpture is very realistic and in terrific condition. The sculpture is composed of bronze (once green but now cleaned) and a Quincy granite base. The sculpture is approximately 80 inches X 122½ inches X 40 inches and the base is approximately 3 feet X 10 feet X 4 feet. The SIRIS site describes this as a standing lioness carrying a dead boar in her mouth. At her feet are three small cubs looking up to her for food.
Lioness Carrying to Her Young a Wild Boar was sculpted by Auguste Nicholas Cain and cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne. The bronze sculpture, set on a granite pedestal, was originally exhibited in 1886 at the Paris Salon, the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. The Fairmount Park Art Association acquired the sculpture in 1888 and placed it at several locations before it found a home at the Philadelphia Zoo in 1950. (Formerly located River Drive, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and also located Lemon Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania until 1950.)
According to newpapers of the period, the Lioness was difficult to place because its "realistic pose...terrified many horses, that in other respects were fearless." The statue was originally on a road heavily traveled by horses.SOURCE
The sculpture is in fantastic shape and for good reason. In 2004, Kreilick Conservation, LLC was hired to fix up and clean the Lioness as part of the "Big Cat Falls" project at Philadelphia Zoo. The 2,700 pound sculpture and 27,500 pound pedestal were removed and taken to George Young Company's facility where both underwent conservation treatment in March 2006. Conservation of the sculpture included pressure cleaning with hot water, followed by repatination to a dark brown color, and application of two coats of hot microsrystalline wax. The granite pedestal was cleaned using a combination of standard restoration cleaners, coupled with laser cleaning to remove heavy black encrustations. New pins were inserted for reinstallation, and the sculpture was installed at a new site within the Zoo in April 2006. SOURCE
The lioness was sculpted by Auguste Cain (1822-1894). Auguste Cain was a French sculptor who was part of the "Les Animaliers" school. These sculptors were known for their powerfully realistic sculptures of wild animals. This attention to animals contrasted with the traditional idea of man being the most worthy subject of art. Cain owned and operated a foundry business with his father-in-law, Pierre-Jules Mene, another member of "Les Animaliers." SOURCE
Remarks from the SIRIS site:
SOS! survey notes that the piece was created in 1880 and that it is dated 1880, but "Sculpture of a City" and "Public Art in Philadelphia" note that the piece was created in 1886. The sculpture was originally installed along River Drive, but was relocated to the foot of Lemon Hill because its realistic appearance scared many horses. In 1950 it was moved to the zoo. SOURCE