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Philadelphia Museum of Art Embraces Rocky Statue with New Exhibition Exploring Its Cultural Impact
PHILADELPHIA – Each day, throngs of visitors from across the globe flock to the iconic steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art-not solely for its renowned art collections, but to see the bronze statue of Rocky Balboa, the fictional South Philadelphia boxer who has become a beloved symbol of perseverance and spirit.
The statue, depicting Rocky with arms raised triumphantly in boxing trunks and boots, has long drawn fans and tourists alike, evolving into a sort of pilgrimage site. For years, however, the museum maintained a cautious distance from this unexpected form of devotion. Now, the institution is embracing the statue’s significance with a new exhibition titled “Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments,” opening this weekend.
Curated by guest Paul Farber, who has explored the cultural meaning of the Rocky statue through podcasts and research, the exhibit delves into how a fictional character transcended film to become a real-world emblem. The show situates Rocky within over 2,000 years of boxing imagery, highlighting the enduring human themes of struggle and resilience.
Louis Marchesano, deputy director of curatorial affairs and conservation at the museum, explained, “People respond to the body in struggle, the conflict, in much the same way now as they did thousands of years ago. It’s not just about the physical fight-it’s about endurance, inner strength, and personal battle.”
The statue’s history at the museum has been complex. After filming, the bronze figure was initially left on the steps but was met with resistance from the museum, which sought its removal.
It was moved to South Philadelphia before returning to its current position at the foot of the stairs in 2006. Though welcomed back, the statue was never fully integrated into the museum’s identity, as the city owns the land where it stands.
Marchesano acknowledged the past tension, saying, “The museum has had-no pun intended-a rocky relationship with the statue. It took decades to come to terms with it, but I’m glad we did.”
The Rocky steps have become a major attraction, drawing approximately 4 million visitors annually-comparable to the famed Liberty Bell, according to the Philadelphia Visitor Center.
Visitors share their personal connections to the statue. David Muller, a wrestling coach from France, brought his students to run the steps and praised Rocky’s story as inspiring for young athletes. “The movie ‘Rocky’ is important for both sport and life,” he said.
Kate Tarchalska traveled from Poland with family and recalled Rocky as her childhood hero. “I’m so glad I could be in the same spot as him now,” she remarked.
Suraj Kumar, visiting from St. Louis, captured photos of the statue to share with his father, who introduced him to the films while he was growing up in India. “When I learned the statue was here, I knew I had to visit,” he said.
The exhibition also contextualizes Rocky within the global boxing craze of the 1970s, featuring works by artists such as Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Andy Warhol-each responding to the era’s intense fascination with boxing and its champions.
“In the 1970s, the heavyweight championship was a worldwide spectacle,” Marchesano noted. “Artists and Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Rocky’ both explored themes of internal and external struggle.”
Another section spotlights Philadelphia’s boxing legacy, showcasing photographs of the Blue Horizon gym and highlighting Joe Frazier, whose career partly inspired the Rocky character. “Without Joe Frazier, Rocky doesn’t exist,” Marchesano said.
When the exhibition concludes in August, the Rocky statue currently displayed inside the museum will be relocated to a permanent home at the top of the steps-a place it has never officially occupied. Meanwhile, the outdoor statue on loan from Stallone will remain in place. To honor the sport’s heritage, a statue of Joe Frazier will take Rocky’s longtime spot at the bottom of the steps.
This evolving embrace of Rocky Balboa marks a new chapter in how the museum and city recognize the cultural power of a fictional underdog who became an enduring symbol of hope and determination.