Sleeping Child

AKA Tranquility in Innocence A Sleeping Child 

A marble sculpture of a sleeping child has been in the west median at the intersection of 47th and Broadway since 1963. 

The original marble entitled simply “Sleeping Child” was by Italian sculptor Ferdinando Andreini, who lived 1843 to 1922. It was placed in the median at 47th and Broadway and dedicated in 1963. Unfortunately, in 1994, a car struck the sculpture and damaged it beyond repair, and it had to be removed. The original plaque read as follows:

SLEEPING CHILD
An original figure by Andreini of Florence, Italy. A child completely relaxed in the sleep of the innocent and the just, while her lovely head rests lightly on her arm. Acquired by Miller Nichols and dedicated to the Plaza in 1963 

Artist Paul McGovney created a marble sculpture very similar to the original. McGovney’s sculpture is entitled “Tranquility in Innocence A Sleeping Child.” It was installed at the same location in 1995.