Eagles and Prey – Central Park, New York

By -

Amid the serene paths and leafy walkways of Central Park, one sculpture stands apart for its sheer drama and dynamic composition, Eagles and Prey, the park’s oldest piece of public art. Installed in 1863, this striking bronze group predates many of the more famous statues in the park and brings a powerful naturalistic energy to its surroundings.

Located near Seventh Avenue and 69th Street, not far from the Mall, the sculpture was created by Christophe Fratin, a French artist known for his lively and often intense animal bronzes. It was cast in bronze in 1850 in Paris and brought to New York a few years later.

Eagles and Prey - Central Park, New York
Eagles and Prey - Central Park, New York


The sculpture features a gripping and somewhat violent scene: two eagles attacking a mountain goat perched precariously on a rocky ledge. The eagles, with their wings fully outstretched, descend on their prey with fierce intent. Their talons are extended, and their beaks open, while the goat struggles beneath them, twisting its body in a desperate attempt to escape. The composition captures movement, tension, and the brutal beauty of nature in a single moment.

Each feather of the eagles and each muscle of the goat is carefully modeled, showing Fratin’s exceptional skill in depicting animals with both anatomical precision and emotional weight. The rocky base of the sculpture integrates seamlessly with its pedestal, grounding the scene in a rugged terrain that adds to the realism.

Unlike the literary or political statues elsewhere in the park, Eagles and Prey does not honor a person but rather an instinct, a primal confrontation between predator and prey. It invites reflection on the natural world and the cycles of survival that exist beyond human civilization.

Though often overlooked by casual visitors, this sculpture holds a special place in the park’s history, not just for its artistic merit, but as a reminder of the early vision for Central Park: to be a landscape where art, nature, and reflection coexist.

How to Reach

The Eagles and Prey sculpture is located near West Drive and 69th Street, just west of The Mall and close to Sheep Meadow. The nearest entrance is at Seventh Avenue and Central Park South (59th Street). From there, head north into the park.

Location: Central Park, New York
Year Installed: 1863
Artist: Christophe Fratin

Medium: Bronze 

Location: Central Park, New York, NY, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Rare Navapashanam Murugan Temple in Chennai – Hidden Gem of Hastinapuram

By -
Image
Navapashanam Murugan at Hastinapuram temple, Chennai When we think of Navapashanam deities ,  known for their medicinal and spiritual significance,  our minds often go to the ancient and sacred shrine at Palani . However, tucked away in the quiet locality of Hastinapuram near Chrompet in Chennai lies a relatively unknown temple where Lord Murugan is enshrined as a Navapashanam icon —an unexpected find in a bustling metropolitan city. What is Navapashanam? Navapashanam refers to a rare amalgamation of nine sacred herbal and mineral elements believed to possess immense healing powers. The tradition of crafting icons from Navapashanam is attributed to Siddhar Bhogar , a legendary saint closely associated with Lord Murugan worship. Temples featuring these unique deities are exceptionally rare, making the discovery of such a shrine in Chennai truly remarkable. Navapashanam Murugan at Hastinapuram temple, Chennai The Temple at Hastinapuram Located in Hastinapuram , a developing...
Read more

A Hidden Shrine in the Heart of Chennai – The Nimishamba Temple of Sowcarpet

By -
Image
Entrance of Nimishamba Temple in Sowcarpet, Chennai Chennai, often hailed as the gateway to South India, is a vibrant city steeped in history and culture. While it is known for its iconic temples, colonial-era landmarks, museums, and beaches, the city also hides lesser-known treasures tucked away in its bustling neighborhoods. One such hidden gem is the Nimishamba Temple , located in the congested lanes of Kasi Chetty Street in Sowcarpet , a commercial hub in North Chennai. Who is Nimishamba? Nimishamba is a revered form of Goddess Parvati , the consort of Lord Shiva. The name 'Nimishamba' comes from the Sanskrit word nimisha , meaning ‘minute.’ It is believed that the Goddess responds to her devotees’ prayers and dispels their troubles within a minute—thus earning her the name Nimishamba . According to legend, Muktharaja , a king from the Somavanshi Mutharasa dynasty, was once granted a divine boon that Nimishamba would appear within a minute to aid him in battle ag...
Read more

The Tallest Murugan of Chennai

By -
Image
Consecrated in March 2021, the 40 feet high Bala Murugan icon at Saveetha Medical College campus is the tallest image of Murugan in Chennai. Malaysia has 140 feet tall Murugan. In April 2022, the 146 feet tall image of Murugan was consecrated near Salem in Tamil Nadu. However, they are all stucco images. But, the one that we find on the college campus is a monolithic granite icon. Thus, it is the tallest stone icon of Murugan in the entire world. A stone weighing 320 tonnes was brought from Siruvambur near Wallajah, and it was carved to 140 tonnes to get this beautiful and gigantic sculpture. The entire temple complex is designed in the shape of the Devanagiri letter "Om", which can be appreciated in the aerial view.  The west-facing gigantic sculpture is located atop the star-shaped pedestal. It dominates the entire landscape. A large meditation hall is situated below the pedestal. On the open corridor in front of the presiding deity, smaller shrines are found. They enshrine...
Read more