NEW YORK (AP) — The project: Atlas, scrubbed.
Rockefeller Center’s iconic statue of Greek mythology’s burdened giant is set to get its most thorough cleaning in decades, starting this week.
The four-story, seven-ton sculpture is among the complex’s cherished attractions. It stands across Fifth Avenue from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Wax and lacquer have built up and dulled the bronze statue’s surface since it was installed in 1937.
EverGreene Painting Studios expects to spend six weeks cleaning the artwork with steam and solvents, applying a protective coating and hand-waxing it. Initial steps are to begin today.
The results should accent the play of highlights and shadows across the statue’s surface, EverGreene President Jeffrey Greene said. Rockefeller Center’s statue of Atlas’ brother, Prometheus, was refurbished nine years ago.
According to ancient Greek lore, Atlas and fellow Titans battled Zeus for control of the universe, and lost. As a punishment, Atlas was condemned to forever hold up the heavens. He is often depicted, as in Rockefeller Center, carrying a globe on his shoulders.
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