Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

West Park Tour

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As a walking tour, this is definitely for folks in good shape. Unfortunately for pedestrians this part of the park is immense and the sculptures are spread out. A bicycle is recommended. We start outside the Zoo, at 34th and Girard and then go



The Dying Lioness
Wilhelm Franz Alexander Friedrich Wolff, 1873 - 1875
* lions, arrow
* Outside the Zoo. Southwest corner, 34th and Girard.
* 39.974750,-75.195550 [map]
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1900 picture of this piece



Zoo Mural
Geronimo Company, Paul Santoleri, Steve Stormer, 2002
* big abstract, giraffe, hippo
* Focusing on the sculptural and mosaic elements.
* Railroad bridge. Outside the Zoo. Both sides of Girard, from 34th West.
* 39.975150,-75.195550 [map]
* Exhibits: Favorites
* See also:
+geronimosculpture.net
+paulsantoleri.com
+friendsofstevestormer.com



Peacock Light Rail Shelters
Suzanne Reese-Horvitz, Robert Roesch, 2002
* peacock feathers
* Also known as Zoo Trolley Stop.
* Shelter. Outside the Zoo. Girard, West of 34th.
* 39.975025,-75.196500 [map]
* See also:
+page for this piece on robertroesch.com
+page for this piece from suzannehorvitz.com
+www.SuzanneHorvitz.com
+robertroesch.com


The Great Mother
Waldemar Raemisch, 1955
* big group of people, standing, sitting, book
* Collectively known, with The Great Doctor as Spirit of the Juveniles. Formerly on the North side of the Parkway bewteen 19th and 20th. Moved August, 2008. The first two pictures are from the original location. The third and fourth pictures were taken during installation at the new site.
* In front of the School of the Future. North side of Parkside at 40th and Girard.
* 39.974750,-75.203650 [map]
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+blog about this piece being moved


The Great Doctor
Waldemar Raemisch, 1955
* big group of people, standing, sitting
* Collectively known, with The Great Mother as Spirit of the Juveniles. Formerly on the North side of the Parkway between 19th and 20th. Moved August, 2008. The first two pictures are from the original location. The third and fourth pictures were taken during installation at the new site.
* In front of the School of the Future. North side of Parkside at 40th and Girard.
* 39.974775,-75.203800 [map]
* Exhibits: Medical, Moved
* See also:
+blog about this piece being moved








Smith Memorial Arch
Herbert Adams, George E. Bissell, Alexander Stirling Calder, Katherine M. Cohen, Moses Jacob Ezekiel, Daniel Chester French, Charles Grafly, Samuel Murray, Edward C. Potter, John Massey Rhind, Bessie O. Potter Vonnoh, John Quincy Adams Ward, James H. Windrim, 1897 - 1912
* Statues and busts of James A. Beaver, S.W. Crawford, Andrew Gregg Curtin, John A. B. Dahlgren, John B. Gest, Winfield Scott Hancock, John Hartranft, George B. McClellan, George Gordon Meade, David Dixon Porter, John Fulton Reynolds, Richard Smith and James H. Windrim
* big arches, standing people, seated people, heads, horses, eagles, globe, weapons, hats
* Despite the name, the memorial is actually not an arch at all, though it does include two arches. Sculptures on the memorial include Herbert Adams' statue of Richard Smith, who funded the memorial, and Samuel Murray's bust of James H. Windrim, who was the artist and architect of the memorial itself. Detail pictures of the individual pieces are in alphabetical order by subject. One of John Massey Rhind's eagles is pictured last. Dahlgren is listed elsewhere as "Dahlgreen."
* Avenue of the Republic at 41st.
* 39.977450,-75.206500 [map]
* Exhibits: New, War
* See also:
+ushistory.org's page for this piece
+philadelphiabuilding.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Herbert Adams page
+wikipedia.org's George E. Bissell page
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Stirling Calder page
+askart.com's Katherine M. Cohen page
+jewishvirtuallibrary.org's Moses Jacob Ezekiel page
+Chesterwood: home of Daniel Chester French
+wikipedia.org's Charles Grafly page
+wikipedia.org's Samuel Murray page
+wikipedia.org's John Massey Rhind page
+wikipedia.org Bessie O. Potter Vonnoh page
+wikipedia.org John Quincy Adams Ward page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's James H. Windrim page
+PA Historical and Museum Commission's James Addams Beaver page
+PA Historical and Museum Commission's Andrew Gregg Curtin page
+biography of John A. B. Dahlgren from civilwarartillery.com
+The W. S. Hancock Society
+Petersburg National Battlefield John Hartranft page
+wikipedia.org's George B. McClellan page
+wikipedia.org's George Meade page
+U.S. Navy's David Dixon Porter page
+National Park Service's David Dixon Porter page
+wikipedia.org's John F. Reynolds page

Pegasus
Vincenz Bildhauer Pilz, 1863
* Two separate statues of Pegasus with Calliope and Erato
* big horses, standing people, scroll
* In front of Memorial Hall. Avenue of the Republic.
* 39.978935,-75.209500 [map]
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece (Calliope)
+Max Buten's picture of this piece (Erato)
+wikipedia.org's Calliope page
+wikipedia.org's Erato page




Art, Science, Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, Mining, and Columbia
A.M.J. Mueller, 1876 (approximate)
* standing people, sitting people, groups of people, anchor, column, globe, books and tablet, tools and machine parts, symbols of peace and victory
* On the roof. Memorial Hall. Avenue of the Republc between 41st and Belmont.
* 39.979500,-75.209000 [map]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building
+Max Buten's picture of this piece


Negro Leagues Memorial
Phil Sumpter, 2005
* Dedicated to Bill Cash, Mahlon Duckett, Stanley Glenn, Harold Gould and Wilmer Harris
* small standing person, hat, baseball bat
* inscription:
front: Dedicated to Bill Cash, Mahlon Duckett, Stanley Glenn, Harold Gould, Wilmer Harris, April 15, 2005
back: A special thanks to the Phillies organization for all of their wonderful support for this monument
* Southwest corner Belmont and Parkside.
* 39.977675,-75.213700 [map]
* Exhibits: Athletic, African American
* See also:
+empowermentzone.org article with picture
+NLBPA article
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+NLBPA Bill Cash page
+NLBPA Mahlon Duckett page
+NLBPA Stanley Glenn page
+NLBPA Harold Gould page
+NLBPA Wilmer Harris page







Catholic Total Abstinence Union Fountain
Herman Kirn, 1876
* Five statues and six carved portraits of John Barry, Charles Carroll, John Carroll, Comte de Grasse, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Marquis de Lafayette, Theobald Matthew, George Gordon Meade, Moses, Orono and Casimir Pulaski
* big standing people, heads, tablet, rocks lion heads
* There is a blank portrait oval labeled Moylan on the West side.
* inscription:
John Barry
First Commodore of the United States Navy
Born in 1745 in Wexford Co. Ireland
Died September 13, 1803 at Philadelphia
During the Revolutionary War he distinguished himself greatly. He filled the various commands entrusted to him with skill and gallantry. When unable to fight on the ocean he obtained command of a company of volunteers and fought against the enemy on land. Among his exploits was the capture upon May 28, 1781 of two English vessels, the Atalanta and Trespasa, after a hotly contested action with his own ship the Alliance.
In January 1776 he commanded the brig Lexington, the first regular cruiser that got to sea under the authority of the Continental Congress and the vessel that first carried the American flag upon the ocean.
Charles Carroll
of Carrollton
Signer of the Declaration Independence
Born September 20, 1737 at Annapolis, Maryland
Died November 14, 1832 at Baltimore, Maryland
To obtain religious as well as civil liberty I entered zealously into the revolution. God grant that this religious liberty may be preserved in these states to the end of time.
-Charles Carroll
"Your soldiers will be masters of the spot only on which they encamp. They will find naught but enemies before and around them. If we are beaten on the plains, we will retreat to our mountains. and defy them."
"We have made up our minds to abide the issue of the approaching struggle and though much blood may be spilt we have no doubt of our ultimate success."
-Charles Carroll
Rev. John Carroll
A commissioner of the Continental Congress
Born Jan. 8, 1735 at Upper Marlboro, Md.
Died Dec. 3 1815 at Baltimore, Md
"The Archbishop's patriotism was as decided as his piety. He loved Republicanism. He had joined with heart and judgement in the Revolution and retained without abatement of confidence or favor the cardinal sympathies upon which he then acted."
Address of Robert Walsh
May these United States flourish in pure and undefiled religion, in morality, peace, union, and liberty, and the enjoyment of their excellent Constitution, so long as respect, honor and veneration shall gather around the name of Washington. That is whilst there shall be any surviving record of human events." John Carroll
Father Matthew
The Apostle of Temperance
Born Oct. 10, 1790 in Tipperary Co. Ireland
Died Dec. 8, 1856 in Cork Co. Ireland
How Congress Honored Him
Upon December 19th 1849
Rev. Theobald Matthew
was by a special resolution invited to a privileged seat upon the floor of the House of Representatives.
Upon December 20th 1849
The Senate Accorded to him a similar privilege - an honor which previous to that time had been conferred on Lafayette only.
That resolution is an homage to humanity, to philanthropy, to virtue
Henry Clay
This illustrious benefactor of the human race and our own country
Wm. H. Seward
He comes among us on a mission of benevolence - it is a noble mission and well he is fulfilling it.
Lewis Gass
He comes here upon a great mission which commands the admiration and sympathy of all men.
Stephen A. Douglas
There is love, purity and fidelity inscribed upon the banner that he bears.
Sam Houston

 * Avenue of the Republic and States Street.
* 39.982400,-75.219650 [map]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+Pictures of this piece from the Philadelphia Archdiocese Historical Research Center
+National Gallery of Art page for this piece
+ushistory.org's Commodore Barry page
+ushistory.org's Charles Carroll page
+wikipedia.org's John Carroll page
+wikipedia.org's Comte de Grasse page
+wikipedia.org's Tadeusz Kosciuszko page
+wikipedia.org's Marquis de Lafayette page
+wikipedia.org's Theobald Matthew page
+wikipedia.org's George Meade page
+history of the Penobscot Indians
+wikipedia.org's Casimir Pulaski page


Florentine Lions
1849
* lions
* Near the entrance to the Mann Music Center. Avenue of the Republic near 52nd and Parkside.
* 39.982675,-75.222100 [map]

Tuning Fork
Raymond Granville Barger, 1984
* In memory of Laurence Katz
* big tuning fork
* inscription:
In fond remembrence of
LAURENCE KATZ
from his friends of
MANN MUSIC CENTER
1984
* Visible through the South gate of the Mann Music Center. Avenue of the Republic near 52nd and Parkside.
* 39.982775,-75.222750 [map]
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece



Law, Prosperity, and Power
Daniel Chester French, 1880
* group of people, one standing, 2 sitting, sword, tablet
* Rear driveway of the Mann Music Center. George's Hill Drive.
* 39.984425,-75.223250 [map]
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1938 picture of this piece
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+Chesterwood: home of Daniel Chester French

Bishop Matthew Simpson
1896
* Statue of Matthew Simpson
* standing person
* Belmont and Edgely.
* 39.994750,-75.217825 [map]
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified
* See also:
+biography of Matthew Simpson

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument
1909
* standing person, hat, rifle
* The soldier is identical to the one atop the 1883 Germantown monument of the same name
* inscription:
Dedicated May 8, 1909 to the soldiers and sailors of the Civil War 1861 to 1865
Did they succeed
Let this monument be their answer
One country and one flag
In memory of the members of Courtland Saunders Post No. 21 G.A.R. Dept. PA
 * Belmont and South George's.
* 39.985925,-75.215975 [map]
* Exhibits: Unidentified, War
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece



The Wrestlers
F. Barbedienne, 1885
* small two people not standing
* Used to be located outside Memorial hall. The last picture is from that location.
* Parking lot entrance North of the Northeast corner of Horticulture Hall in the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive, East of Belmont.
* 39.984250,-75.209950 [map]
* Exhibits: Athletic, Moved
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece

Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon
Joseph Alexis Bailly, 1876 (unconfirmed)
* Statue of John Witherspoon
* standing person, scroll
* inscription:
front:
A lineal descendant of John Knox
Born in Scotland February 5 1722
Ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church 1745
President of the College of New Jersey 1788-1794
The only clergyman in the Continental Congress
A signer of the Declaration of Independence
Died at Princeton, New Jersey November 15, 1794
right:
For my own part of property I have some of reputation. More, that reputation is staked, that property is pledged, on the issue of this contest. And although these grey hairs must soon descend into sepulchre I would infinitely rather that they descend thither by the hand of the executioner than desert at this crisis the sacred cause of my country.
left:
"Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all its inhabitants thereof" -Levit. XX 10
 * North side of the East end loop of the Horticulture Center. N. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont.
* 39.984050,-75.208900 [map]
* Exhibits: New, Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Joseph Alexis Bailly page
+wikipedia.org's John Witherspoon page


Rebecca at the Well
John J. Boyle, 1908
* Biblical scene of Rebecca
* people standing, head coverings, walking stick, jug, camels
* inscription:
Drink and I will give thy camels drink also.- Genesis XXIV:XIV
I give this legacy for a triple purpose: to ornament the city that William Penn founded, to refresh the weary and thirsty, both man and beast, and to commemorate a fact of sacred story. - Extract from the will of Mary Rebecca Darby Smith
This monument was removed from Twelth and Spring Garden Streets and erected by the Philadelphia Fountain Society 1934
 * East end of the Horticulture Center. Horticultural Drive. East of Belmont..
* 39.983625,-75.208700 [map]
* Exhibits: New, Religious, Moved
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+askart.com's John J. Boyle page
+wikipedia.org's Rebeccah page

Joseph Haydn
Idusch and Son, 1906 (presented as an award)
* Bust of Joseph Haydn
* head
* inscription: Grand Prize awarded to the United Singers of Philadelphia
 * Southeast corner of the East end loop of the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive, East of Belmont.
* 39.983040,-75.208625 [map]
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Joseph Haydn page

Lions
1891 (donated)
* lions
* inscription: Presented to Fairmount Park, Henry Lisle Waln, 1891
 * In the middle of the East end loop of the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive, East of Belmont.
* 39.983575,-75.208935 [map]
* Exhibits: New, Unidentified

Franz Schubert
Henry Baerer, 1891
* Bust of Franz Schubert
* head, people standing, cherubs, musical instruments, plants
* inscription: Grand Prize awarded to the German Singers of Philadelphia Newark, N.J. 4-8ten Juli 1891
 * In the middle of the East end loop of the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive, East of Belmont.
* 39.983550,-75.209125 [map]
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+askart.com's Henry Baerer page
+wikipedia.org's Franz Schubert page

The Journeyer
Lindsay Daen, 1975
* standing person, walking stick
* inscription:
General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation Ltd.
Dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America and to the great journey upon which this nation is engaged.
Erected June 5, 1975 in cooperation with the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia
 * Just East of Horticulture Hall on the East end of the Horticulture Center. Horticultural Drive. East of Belmont.
* 39.983500,-75.209500 [map]
* Exhibits: New


Guiseppe Verdi
Ettore Ferrari, 1907 (installed)
* Bust of Guiseppe Verdi
* head, seated person, violin
* At the intersection where Horticulture Drive splits near the Southeast corner of Horticulture Hall at the East end of the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont..
* 39.983100,-75.209500 [map]
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Giuseppe Verdi page

Night
Edward Stauch, 1872
* standing person, hooded
* Near the Southwest corner of Horticulture Hall In a small garden on the South side of the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont..
* 39.982800,-75.210725 [map]
* Exhibits: New


Schiller
Heinrich Manger, 1886
* Statue of Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller
* two standing people, one winged, torch, sitting person, tree stump, quill
* South side near the East end of the central promenade under a tree in the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont..
* 39.982750,-75.211800 [map]
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Schiller page

Goethe
Heinrich Manger, 1890
* Statue of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
* standing person, rolled paper
* North side near the East end of the central promenade in the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont.
* 39.983725,-75.212010 [map]
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Goethe page




Sundial
Alexander Stirling Calder, 1903
* people kneeling, sundials, zodiac signs, hat
* inscription: Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your lord will come.
 * Center of the central promenade in the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont..
* 39.983175,-75.212650 [map]
* Exhibits: New, Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Stirling Calder page


Gambol II: Mare and Foal
Robert David Lasus, 1992
* horses
* South side of the West end of the central promenade in the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont.
* 39.982700,-75.213850 [map]
* Exhibits: New


Shofuso Japanese Lanterns
* lanterns
* visible through the fence along Belmont Drive
* Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. Belmont Drive between Horticulture and Lansdowne.
* 39.981200,-75.212800 [map]
* Exhibits: New


Major General George Gordon Meade
Alexander Milne Calder, 1887
* Statue of George Gordon Meade
* seated person, horse
* Lansdowne Drive, West of Black Road.
* 39.981075,-75.208140 [map]
* Exhibits: New, War
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Milne Calder page
+wikipedia.org's George Meade page


St. George and the Dragon
Elkington & Company, 1877 (sometimes listed 1876)
* Statue of Saint George
* seated person, horse, helmet, spear, dragon
* inscription:
Designed and cast
1877
Elkington & Company
Birmingham England
for
The Society of the Sons of St. George
of Philadelphia
Founded 1772
St. George's Day, 23 April, 1978
 * Martin Luther King Drive just North of Black Road.
* 39.983050,-75.205900 [map]
* Exhibits: Religious, Moved
* See also:
+phillyskyline.com story about the demolition of the building where this sculpture used to be, with picture
+Society of the Sons of St. George
+picture of this piece from the Free Library of Philadelphia
+Bob Speel's Elkington & Company page
+newadvent.org's St. George page

Alexander von Humboldt
Frederick Johann Heinrich Drake, 1871
* Statue of Alexander von Humboldt
* standing person, scroll, globe
* inscription:
Alexander von Humboldt
Born Sept. 14, 1769
Died May 6, 1859
Dedicated to the City of Philadelphia
by its German citizens
 * Martin Luther King Drive South of Black Road.
* 39.982325,-75.205850 [map]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Alexander von Humboldt page


George and Meta Conor-Wood Memorial
Ahron Ben-Shmuel, 1942
* Memorial to George Conor-Wood and Meta Conor-Wood
* seated person, deer
* Martin Luther King Drive below Black Road, opposite side, sunken.
* 39.981375,-75.205825 [map]
* See also:
+michenermuseum.org Ahron Ben-Shmuel page

Possible trip extension: Museum Grounds (Southeast on Martin Luther King under and then up to the Spring Garden Bridge)

See Also

+Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
+Mann Music Center
+School of the Future
+shofuso.com
+Philadelphia Zoo