Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is a great art museum founded in 1879. Its building on Michigan Avenue opened in 1893, and its two bronze lions have guarded it since 1894.
A building for the fair
In 1893 Chicago hosted a great world's fair. The museum building went up on Michigan Avenue and welcomed the fair's visitors. When the celebration was over, the works of art moved in and the building became the museum.
The animal sculptor
The sculptor of the lions loved the wild animals of America: bison, bears, pumas. For the museum he modeled two African lions, larger than life. A donor paid for them as a present to the museum. The north lion is on the prowl; the south one, he said, was the hardest to make.
City lions
The lions have become a mascot of Chicago. When a city team reaches the finals, they sometimes dress up in its colors. For the year-end holidays the lions receive a big green decoration. Every so often experts wash and protect them carefully, so the bronze stays dark and beautiful.
A museum to explore
Inside are masterpieces famous all over the world, from every era. You go from Greek and Roman vases to ancient statues, all the way to modern paintings. There are also antique furniture, jewelry and photographs.
