Artist, Jack Laroux, was commissioned to produce an original painting entitled “ Prometheus “ in celebration of the 20th anniversary of liver transplantation at The Mount Sinai Medical Center.

In honor of all recipients, donors and their families in recognition of our dedicated physicians, coordinators and staff on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of liver transplantation at Mount Sinai Medical Center, September 14, 2008.

In Greek mythology, Prometheus was a Titan known for his wily intelligence who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals on earth. Prometheus was punished by being chained to a rock and his liver was eaten daily by an eagle, only for it to regenerate overnight.  The liver's ability to regenerate is a central focus in hepatology and liver transplantation.

In addition to the images of the eagle, liver, chains, stolen flame and Prometheus's figure found in the composition, symbolic elements were also used. These include the Doctor's staff, also known as the Rod of Aesculapius, the ancient mythical God of medicine. Commemorating the 20th anniversary, the Roman numeral XX embellishes the top of the serpentine staff. The green ribbon is typically worn to create awareness of organ donation.  The rising sun illuminates the ribbon signifying a new day filled with hope. A profusion of branches and roots represents the tree of life that is symbolic of immortality or fertility, and in science describes the relationships of all life on earth in an evolutionary context. Sprouting from the tree is a microscope that portrays research and advances in modern medicine.