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The Philadelphia Museum of Art is set to welcome an iconic figure indoors for the first time: the bronze statue of Rocky Balboa. Beginning this Saturday, the legendary statue, which has stood outside the museum for over two decades, will be featured inside as part of a special exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original Rocky film.
Portraying the beloved fictional heavyweight champion played by Sylvester Stallone, the statue has become a symbol deeply tied to Philadelphia’s identity. Its relocation indoors coincides with the museum’s new exhibition, Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments, which showcases over 150 artworks by numerous artists, alongside artifacts dating back more than 2,000 years.
The museum describes the exhibition as a blend of art, sports, and popular culture, delving into the meanings and mythology surrounding the Rocky statue. Through this lens, Rising Up examines how monuments evolve over time through the influence of artists, communities, and history. It also encourages reflection on broader themes such as memory, identity, power, and representation in public art.
The statue itself, depicting Rocky with his gloved fists raised in victory, is as much a part of Philadelphia’s cultural landscape as the Liberty Bell or Independence Hall. Originally left behind as a prop after the filming of Rocky III in 1982, it quickly captured the hearts of fans. However, its status as a legitimate piece of art sparked debate for years, with some questioning whether a movie prop belonged in the art world.
Louis Marchesano, deputy director of curatorial affairs and conservation, highlighted the statue’s significance: “The Rocky statue is the most visited and photographed public artwork in Philadelphia, attracting nearly as many annual visitors as the Statue of Liberty. Rising Up offers the museum a chance to reframe the story around Rocky and the museum steps, placing it firmly within Philadelphia’s civic and cultural identity.”
The exhibition will be open to the public through August 2, offering visitors a fresh perspective on this beloved symbol of perseverance and pride.