The Restoration of Prometheus

At the center of Rockefeller Center in New York City stands Prometheus, the iconic 18-foot tall, eight-ton, gilded bronze sculpture seen by millions of visitors every year. As one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States, Prometheus is one of the most photographed pieces of art in the country. Designed by Art Deco icon Paul Howard Manship, and originally installed nearly a century ago, the 2025 restoration work on this priceless sculpture required exceptional care.

After evaluating several surface preparation methods, the contracting team (PBM Painting, LLC) and conservator (Roussel Art Conservation) selected Sponge-Jet cleaning as their preferred method. Sponge Media's low-dust, low-rebound characteristics made it possible to remove the old coating and prepare the bronze with an adequate surface profile, while requiring minimal containment. This proved especially impressive given the project site's location in the middle of the one the busiest spots in Manhattan.

To Learn more about this restoration project, visit: https://blog.spongejet.com/prometheus-bronze-sculpture-restoration-nyc