Prospect Park

Prospect Park W, Parkside Ave. bet. Flatbush Ave., Ocean Ave. and Prospect Park SW

Brooklyn, 11215

Lioness and Cubs

History

This text is part of Parks’ Historical Signs Project and can be found posted within the park.

This bronze sculpture depicting a mother lion nursing her cubs was created by French artist Victor Peter (1840–1918). The piece, located east of the sea lion pond at the Prospect Park Wildlife Conservation Center, was a gift from noted sculptor Frederick MacMonnies (1863–1937), who has a dozen pieces in New York’s parks, including two major works in Prospect Park, Horse Tamers (1899) and the bronze depiction of James S.T. Stranahan (1891).

Cast in 1899, Lioness and Cubs is an example of animalier (a sculptor of animals) art popular during the mid- to late 19th century. The naturalistic and sometimes fierce imagery of this type of sculpture is meant to evoke the strength of nature, expanding on 18th century Romanticism, although later animalier works, such as this example, tend to be softer and more playful. Many of Peter’s other animalier works are in France. Prospect Park is home to another famous animalier work, the two Panthers (1898) by Alexander Phimister Proctor (1860–1950) that stand sentinel at the Third Street entrance to the park.

Photo of the Lioness and Cubs Statue in Prospect Park Brooklyn

Click image for larger view

Lioness and Cubs Details

Sculptor: Victor Peters, (von Pieters)
Description: Group on integral plinth on pedestal
Materials: Bronze, pink granite
Dimensions: Group H: 3' W: 7' D: 2'; Pedestal H: 4' W: 7' D: 2'
Cast: ca. 1899
Dedicated: 1899
Fabricator: Thiebault Freres Fondeurs. Paris, France
Donor: Frederick W. MacMonnies
Inscription: 1) sculpture front, proper right: "VTOR PETER"

2) sculpture rear; "THIEBAULT FRERES FONDEURS / PARIS"

3) sculpture rear: "PRESENTED BY FREDERICK MACMONNIES / COPYRIGHT"

4) pedestal: "LIONESS AND CUBS / 1899 / VICTOR PETER, SC"

Please note, the NAME field includes a primary designation as well as alternate namings often in common or popular usage. The DEDICATED field refers to the most recent dedication, most often, but not necessarily the original dedication date. If the monument did not have a formal dedication, the year listed reflects the date of installation.

For more information, please contact Art & Antiquities at (212) 360-8143

Park Information

Lost and Found Information

Directions to Prospect Park

Know Before You Go

Kate Wollman Ice Skating Rink: CLOSED 2012-2013

The Kate Wollman Rink will NOT be open for ice skating this winter; 2012 - 2013. The parking lot will also remain closed this winter. Construction is continuing on Lakeside , a year-round destination for recreation, relaxation, and events. Ice skating will return with the completion of this exciting new project.