Meet Patience and Fortitude. These fabulous Pink Tennessee Marble Lions have been greeting guests and guarding the New York City Public Library since its dedication in May 1911. The library is a magnificent Beaux Arts building that’s one of the most famous libraries in the world.

These sculptures are among the most photographed pieces of public art in New York and they were on my bucket list when we visited the city.

Located conveniently just a few city blocks from Grand Central Station, we were able to hoof it there for pictures. Sadly, our timing was bad and we missed seeing inside the famed library (that’s ok, we will go back another time). Still, I was overjoyed to meet the pair of famous felines.

Their names changed a few times in the early years. They were originally named for the city library system’s founders John Jacob Aster and James Lenox. They were later called Lady Astor and Lord Lenox.

In the thirties, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia renamed them Patience and Fortitude for the qualities he believed New Yorkers would need to survive the Depression. The names stuck and the rest is history.

They really have stood the test of time as they are more popular than ever. Back in 2019, the lions were professionally cleaned and restored, making them look good as new.

When we were there, several tourists were milling about with their selfie sticks and taking turns photographing their groups with the lions. It was lovely and refreshing to see people so excited about art and a library.

Go if you are in New York. Get your picture with them and be sure to go in for a look see. I’ll make it back for my tour one of these days!