Eight and a half meters long. Five tons of bronze. That’s How Doth the Little Crocodile. This magnificent sculpture by Leonora Carrington is one of Mexico City’s most photographed public artworks.
Leonora Carrington a British-born Mexican surrealist painter and novelist gifted this incredible piece to the city in 2000. Its name a direct lift from a Lewis Carroll poem inspired both this bronze behemoth and a painting Carrington created in 1998. The artist’s inspiration may also have been subtly influenced by Tomas Chavez Morado’s 1976 monument to Alonso Garcia Bravo. This connection however remains undocumented.
Initially How Doth the Little Crocodile resided in a neglected fountain in Chapultepec Park. But in 2006 Carrington herself chose its current location on Paseo de la Reforma. The relocation was a celebrated event. The sculpture’s move was accompanied by great fanfare.
The crocodile’s imposing size makes it a dramatic focal point. Its details are rich and whimsical. The many crocodiles depicted in the piece evoke a surrealistic and captivating scene. The largest crocodile stands 4.5 meters tall. It offers ample space for those wanting to take photos.
Carrington died in 2011. She is considered one of Mexico City’s most celebrated 20th-century artists. Even today her home and studio are being transformed into a museum a testament to her enduring legacy. And here before us stands one of her most unforgettable creations How Doth the Little Crocodile a true marvel of surrealist sculpture.