They just stand there. Frozen in bronze. One is "on the prowl" and the other is in an "attitude of defiance." If you’ve spent any time in downtown Chicago, you’ve probably walked past the Art Institute of Chicago lions a hundred times without really thinking about how weird it is that two 19th-century statues became the unofficial mascots of a 21st-century tech hub. Honestly, it’s kinda wild. These aren't just museum decorations. They are cultural magnets. They wear massive wreaths during the holidays. They sport oversized helmets when the Bears or the Cubs are actually doing well. They’ve been through cleanings, protests, and millions of selfies.
The lions have been guarding the Michigan Avenue entrance since 1894. That’s a long time to keep watch. They were a gift from Mrs. Henry Field, a wealthy widow who wanted to honor her husband, a prominent Chicago merchant. She commissioned Edward Kemeys to do the job. Kemeys was basically the go-to "animal guy" of the American sculpting world at the time. He didn't want them to be identical. That’s the first thing people get wrong—they think it’s a copy-paste job. It’s not.
The sculptor behind the Art Institute of Chicago lions
Edward Kemeys was obsessed with the American West. He didn't just look at pictures in books; he traveled and studied live animals in their natural habitats. When he got the commission for the Art Institute of Chicago lions, he decided to give them distinct personalities. Look closely next time you’re on Michigan Avenue. The north lion—the one further from the main entrance—is the one "on the prowl." He’s got his head down, looking focused, maybe a little bit sneaky. The south lion is the "defiant" one. He’s standing tall, chest out, head held high, basically telling the traffic on Michigan Avenue to bring it on.
It’s interesting to think about the material itself. They are made of bronze, which over time develops that iconic green patina due to oxidation. Back in 1894, they would have looked much more like a shiny new penny. Can you imagine that? Two massive, gleaming copper-colored cats reflecting the Chicago sun. They would have been blinding. People sometimes ask why we don't polish them back to that original shine. The truth is, the green (technically called verdigris) actually protects the metal underneath. Plus, Chicagoans would probably riot if they changed color now. That green is part of the city's DNA.
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More than just bronze: The social life of the lions
You can’t talk about the Art Institute of Chicago lions without talking about the costumes. This isn’t something the museum just started doing last year. The tradition of dressing them up goes way back. The Christmas wreaths are the most famous. Usually, right around late November, the "Wreathing of the Lions" ceremony happens. It’s a whole thing. There’s a brass band, people drink hot cocoa, and massive wreaths are hoisted onto their necks via crane. It sounds silly when you describe it, but it’s a genuine Chicago tradition that signals the start of the holiday season more than any mall display ever could.
Then there are the sports. When the Chicago Cubs finally broke the curse and won the World Series in 2016, the lions wore massive blue Cubs hats. When the Blackhawks were on their Stanley Cup runs, they wore helmets. It’s a way for a high-brow cultural institution like the Art Institute to connect with the gritty, sports-obsessed reality of the city. It makes the museum feel accessible. It says, "Hey, we have 5,000-year-old pottery inside, but we also care about the power play."
The great "lion-napping" of 2022
Actually, they weren't stolen. But for a few weeks in the summer of 2022, they were gone. It felt like the city was missing its front teeth. The Art Institute of Chicago lions were taken off their plinths for a deep cleaning and conservation effort. This wasn't just a quick scrub with some soap and water. They were transported to a specialized facility in Forest Park. Experts used crushed walnut shells—yes, walnut shells—to gently blast away years of grime, bird droppings, and city pollution without hurting the bronze.
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The process is fascinating because it’s so delicate. After the "walnut bath," they were given a new layer of wax to protect them from the harsh Chicago winters. When they came back, they looked refreshed. Not brand new, but healthier. They looked like they’d just spent a month at a very expensive spa. Seeing the empty pedestals for those weeks was a stark reminder of how much space they occupy in the city's collective mind. Without them, the stairs of the Art Institute just looked like... stairs.
Myths and misconceptions
There’s a persistent rumor that the lions are hollow and filled with treasure. They are hollow, but unfortunately, there’s no gold inside. Just some structural supports. Another common myth is that they are the largest bronze lions in the world. They’re big—each weighs about two tons—but they aren't the biggest. That’s fine. We don't need them to be the biggest. We just need them to be ours.
Sometimes people also confuse them with the lions outside the New York Public Library. Those are Patience and Fortitude. They are carved from pink Tennessee marble and look very different. The Chicago lions are tougher. They look like they could actually survive a winter on the lakefront, whereas the New York ones look like they’d prefer to stay inside and read.
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Why they matter for the Art Institute's identity
The museum itself is world-class. It houses A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and Nighthawks. But the Art Institute of Chicago lions serve as the gateway. They are the most photographed objects in the entire collection, even though they sit outside the building. They act as a transition point between the chaos of the Loop and the quiet contemplation of the galleries.
Think about the thousands of people who meet "at the lions." It’s a universal landmark. "Meet me at the north lion at noon." Everyone knows exactly what that means. In a city of skyscrapers and GPS, we still rely on two bronze cats to find each other. That’s the power of public art. It becomes a waypoint for human interaction.
The technical specs you didn't know you needed
- Height: Roughly 10 feet tall.
- Weight: About 4,000 pounds each.
- Cost in 1893: $15,000 for the pair (which was a fortune back then).
- Material: Bronze with a natural green patina.
Visiting the lions today
If you’re planning to visit, don't just snap a photo and walk inside. Take a second to look at the details. Look at the muscles in the legs. Kemeys was a master of anatomy. You can see the tension in the "prowling" lion's shoulders. You can see the defiance in the other one's gaze. They are masterpieces of American sculpture that just happen to live on the sidewalk.
Best time to see them? Honestly, early morning. Before the crowds of tourists start climbing on the pedestals (which you aren't supposed to do, by the way, though everyone does). The light hitting the bronze at 7:00 AM makes the green pop against the gray stone of the museum. It’s one of those "only in Chicago" moments.
Actionable ways to experience the lions
- Check the schedule: If you’re in town in late November, find the date for the Wreathing of the Lions. It’s free, family-friendly, and peak Chicago.
- Look for the signatures: You can actually find Edward Kemeys' signature on the bases. It’s a cool "I found it" moment for kids or art nerds.
- Use them as a starting point: Once you’ve greeted the lions, head inside. The Art Institute is massive. Start with the Impressionist wing directly behind the lions; it's one of the best in the world.
- Photography tip: Stand across Michigan Avenue near the entrance to Millennium Park to get a shot of the lions with the historic museum facade in the background. It’s the classic "postcard" view.
- Respect the bronze: Don't use harsh cleaners or try to "buff" out spots if you're a local. The museum spends thousands on conservation for a reason.
The Art Institute of Chicago lions aren't going anywhere. They’ve seen the city burn, rebuild, and grow. They’ve seen the "L" tracks go up and the lakefront change. They are the silent witnesses to Chicago's history, and they do it all with a stoic, bronze stare. Next time you pass them, maybe give them a little nod. They've earned it.