Paul Manship, Mankind Figure of Maiden, 1933

From the World Visit Guide:

Paul Manship created the heroic-sized bronze Mankind Figures of Maiden and Youth in 1933 to flank the golden Titan Prometheus. The 8-foot statues stood on the granite shelves on either side of Titan’s fountain, forming a sculptural group that depicted Prometheus giving mainkind the gift of fire. Manship was displeased with their placement and had them moved around a number of times, before they finally moved to storage on top of the British Empire Building where they remained for fifty years. In 1983, they were restored, given a traditional brown patina and placed in the skating rink on new pedestals. During a 2001 restoration, they were moved to the top of the staircase, where they symbolically “present” Prometheus. 

The figures are depicted in partial nudity without a hint of sexuality, formed with smooth planes, and standing next to exaggerated reptilian branches of vegetation symbolic of the Garden of Eden. Their expressions portray an ironic apathy given their role in the greater sculptural group. 

Rockefeller Center was designated a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1985. 

 

Posted on May 4 2012, with 69 Notes

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