Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Nearby 39.947415,-75.149200

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Independence Building Reliefs
1925
* Relief medallions of Athena and Hermes
* small sitting, kneeling, standing people, angel, helmets, Independence Hall tower, machines and tools, papers, scrolls, and books, ship, cornucopias, symbols and allegories
* Best viewed from the North side of Walnut
* Entrance, North and West walls. South side of Walnut, East of 5th.
* 39.947415,-75.149200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Athena page
+wikipedia.org's Hermes page

Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
1924 (approximate)
* Includes a representation of Saint George
* coat of arms, lions, unicorn, helmet and crown, harp, seated person, lance, horse, dragon
* Best viewed from the North side of Walnut. The other emblems probably represent places where General Accident operated.
* inscription:
Honi soit qui mal y pense
Dieu et mon droit
* Entrance. South side of Walnut, West of 4th.
* 39.947320,-75.148480 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's entry for the coat of arms
+wikipedia.org's Saint George page

Robert Morris
Paul Wayland Bartlett, 1925
* Statue of Robert Morris
* standing person, hat, cane, papers
* inscription: Patriot, Statesman, Financier, 1734-1806
* North side of Walnut between 4th and 5th.
* 39.947700,-75.148600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org picture of this piece, probably from in front of the Second Bank
+wikipedia.org's Paul Wayland Bartlett page
+wikipedia.org's Robert Morris page

Benjamin Franklin
Francesco Lazzarini, 1789 (original)
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* standing person, staff, books
* Replica of Benjamin Franklin
* Pediment. Library Hall. 105 S. 5th St, West side of 5th, South of Chestnut.
* 39.948425,-75.149190 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Benjamin Franklin page
+ushistory.org's history of the Library Company

Penn Mutual Building Doors
Robert Warren Noble (Architect), 1931
* small groups of people standing, sitting, machines and tools, furniture, baskets and jugs, books and scrolls, dogs, flowers, weapons, helmet, head in profile
* Entrance. Penn Mutual Building. South side of Walnut between 5th and 6th.
* 39.947525,-75.150250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* Exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Robert Warren Noble page
+wikipedia.org's Penn Mutual page

The Signer
EvAngelos W. Frudakis, 1980
* standing person, scroll and quill
* 5th and Chestnut, Southeast corner.
* 39.948825,-75.149000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+Mark Jones' picture of this piece on flickr.com
+inquirer.com obituary for EvAngelos Frudakis
+sculptorewfrudakis.com

St. Mary's School Doors
1970
* Partial representations of John Adams, John Carroll, Katherine Drexel, Michael Francis Egan, Robert Harding and George Washington
* small partial people, hats, staff, ship, weapons, crosses
* Visible through the gate. Designed to echo the stained glass doors. The reference to Katherine Drexel is from the school's website.
* North entrance. Saint Mary Interparochial School. South side of Locust, East of 5th.
* 39.946080,-75.149510 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified Artists, War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's John Adams page
+wikipedia.org's John Carroll page
+wikipedia.org's Katherine Drexel page
+wikipedia.org's Michael Francis Egan page
+jstor.org article about Robert Harding
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+saintmarys.us

Commodore John Barry, USN
Samuel Murray, 1908 (from the base; the plaque says 1907)
* Statue of John Barry
* standing person wearing a hat, telescope, sword
* inscription:
Father of the Navy of the United States. Born in Wexford, Ireland, 1745. Died in Philadelphia, 1803.
Presented to the City of Philadelphia by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, 1907.
* South side of Independence Hall. Between Chestnut and Walnut, 5th and 6th.
* 39.948350,-75.150100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+1912 picture of this piece from phillyhistory.org
+wikipedia.org's Samuel Murray page
+wikipedia.org's John Barry page
+wikipedia.org's Independence Hall page

William Penn
Edgar Viguers Seeler (Architect), 1914
* Relief portrait of William Penn
* head, hat
* Above the entrance. Penn Mutual Building. South side of Walnut, East of 6th.
* 39.947595,-75.150870 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Edgar Viguers Seeler page
+wikipedia.org's William Penn page
+wikipedia.org's Penn Mutual page

St. Mary's School Sign
1970 (year of the building)
* sign, school logo, symbolic heart, rose, book
* In the school logo the book under the heart is more pronounced
* West wall. Saint Mary Interparochial School. East side of 5th, South of Locust.
* 39.945960,-75.149725 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists, Mosaic
* See also:
+saintmarys.us

Mary
* statue of Mary
* small standing person, head covered, rocks
* Visible through the gate
* Cemetery, Old St. Mary's. East side of 5th, South of Locust.
* 39.945800,-75.149665 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page
+oldstmary.com
+wikipedia.org's St. Mary's page

Farmers and Mechanics Bank
William Struthers, 1855
* lion heads, sheep heads
* Struthers is listed as the mason for the building
* Front wall. North side of Chestnut, East of 5th.
* 39.949025,-75.148515 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org page for William Struthers

Independence Hall History
* small outlines of buildings, text (historical marker)
* outlines and histories of Independence Hall, Old City Hall, and Congress Hall. There are two of these: one nearer 5th and one nearer 6th. This is the one closer to 5th.
* Carved into the sidewalk. Across the street from Independence Hall. North side of Chestnut between 5th and 6th.
* 39.949160,-75.149765 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Independence Hall page

Washington Square Prisoners of War Memorial
1900
* rock
* inscription:
In memory of the many American soldiers, who, during the War for Independence, died prisoners of war in the jails of Philadlelphia, and were buried in this ground during the years 1777 and 1778. Erected by Quaker City Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, October 1900
* East side of Washington Square. Southwest of 6th and Walnut.
* 39.947400,-75.151550 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists, War
* See also:
+Wally Gobetz's picture of this piece at flickr.com
+wikipedia.org's Washington Square page
+nps.gov's Cultural Landscape Report for Washington Square (449 page pdf)

George Washington
Joseph Alexis Bailly, 1869
* Statue of George Washington
* standing person, book, cane
* behind the Independence Hall security perimeter, but visible across Chestnut. The first two pictures are from a print taken before the perimeter was established.
* In front of Independence Hall. South side of Chestnut between 5th and 6th.
* 39.949050,-75.150000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1913 picture of this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1929 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Joseph Alexis Bailly page
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+wikipedia.org's Independence Hall page

Arabesque and Layout
Cathy Hopkins, 1985
* small vertical people
* Behind an awning
* Wall. West side of 5th, South of Locust.
* 39.945675,-75.149975 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+inquirer.com's Cathy Hopkins obituary

Barry Memorial
1913
* Memorial to John Barry
* anchor, rope, plants, cross
* inscription:
In memory of John Barry, father of the American Navy, born in Co. Wexford, Ireland, March 25, 1745.
First captain of the first ship owned by the Continental Congress. Continuous in his service during the entire period of the revolution. Supreme Commander of the entire naval forces of the colonies in the war for independence. Appointed by President Washington to the highest rank and first command of the navy of the United States. He died in Philadelphia September 3, 1803, and is buried in the adjoining churchyard. Requiscat in pace.
* On the wall. Old St. Mary's. West side of 4th Street South of Locust.
* 39.945700,-75.148325 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified Artists, War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's John Barry page
+oldstmary.com
+wikipedia.org's St. Mary's page

Bicentennial Bell
Holzman Iron Studio, Studio Bryan Hanes, Whitechapel Bell Foundry, 2024 (the bell itself is 1976)
* quote from and relief bust of Elizabeth II
* actual bell, ideas, head, crown, fish head fountain
* The bell was originally installed in the tower of the old Visitor Center at 3rd and Chestnut. The bell itself is now in the center of the garden. The names of the 13 colonies are carved into the walk around the bell. The fountain, bust of the queen, and text of her speech are on the North wall.
* inscription:
Bell:
FOR THE
PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FROM THE
PEOPLE OF BRITAIN
4 JULY, 1976
LET FREEDOM RING

Wall:
HERE, ON JULY 6, 1976, HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II
OF GREAT BRITAIN PRESENTED THE BICENTENNIAL BELL
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, IN THESE WORDS:

I speak to you as the direct descendant of King George III.
He was the last Crowned Sovereign to rule in this country, and it
is therefore with a particular personal interest that I view those
events which took place 200 years ago.

It seems to me that Independence Day, the Fourth of July, should
be celebrated as much in Britain as IN America. Not in recjoicing
at the separation of the American Colonies from the British
Crown but in sincere gratitude to the Founding Fathers of this
great Republic for having taught Britain a very valuable lesson.

We lost the American Colonies because we lacked that
statesmanship "to know the right time, and the manner of yielding,
what is impossible to keep".

But the lesson was learnt. In the next century and a half we kept
more closely to the principles of Magna Carta which have been
the common heritage of both our countries.

We learnt to respect the right of others to govern themselves in
their own ways. This was the outcome of experience learned the
hard way in 1776. Without that great act in the cause of liberty
performed in Independence Hall two hundred years ago, we
could never have transformed an Empire into a Commonwealth!

Ultimately peace brought a renewal of friendship which has
continued and grown over the years and has played a vital part
in world affairs. Together we have fought in two world wars in
the defence of our common heritage of freedom. Together we
have striven to keep the peace so dearly won. Together, as
friends and allies, we can face the uncertainties of the future,
and this is something for which we in Britain can also celeberate
the Fourth of July.

This morning I saw the famout Liberty Bell. It came here over
200 years ago when Philadelphia, after London, was the largest
English speaking City in the world. It was cast to commemorate
the Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges, but it is better known for
its association with the Declaration of Independence.

Today, to mark the 200th anniversary of that declaration,
it gives me the greatest pleasure, on behalf of the British people,
to present a new bell to the people of the United States of
America. It comes from the same foundry as the Liberty Bell,
but written on the side of this Bicentennial Bell are the wrds
"Let Freedom Ring".

It is a message in which both our people can join and which
I hope will be heard around the world for centuries to come.
* Northwest corner, 3rd and Walnut.
* 39.947350,-75.146575 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+defector.com blog entry about this piece
+ironstudioltd.com
+studiobryanhanes.com
+wikipedia.org's Whitechapel Bell Foundry page
+wikipedia.org's Elizabeth II page

Old St. Mary's Bench
* small standing people, sitting and kneeling people, sports equipment, tools, water, plants, horse, horn, fish, umbrella, hats
* Medallions are set into the curved brick back of the bench.
* Just South of Old St. Mary's. West side of 4th, South of Locust.
* 39.945375,-75.148475 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Exhibits: Athletic, Unidentified Artists, Black Lives
* See also:
+oldstmary.com
+wikipedia.org's St. Mary's page

Tom Foglietta
Zenos Frudakis, 2000
* Bas-relief bust of Thomas Foglietta
* small head and upper torso
* inscription:
City Councilman
Citizen of Philadelphia
Ambassador to Italy
Congressman
Champion of Historic Preservation
* Northeast of the center of Washington Square. Southwest of 6th and Walnut.
* 39.947250,-75.152000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+zenosfrudakis.com
+wikipedia.org's Thomas M. Foglietta page
+wikipedia.org's Washington Square page
+nps.gov's Cultural Landscape Report for Washington Square (449 page pdf)

Total Environment
Barbara Neijna, 1986
* big abstract arches, spires
* Plaza. East side of 6th, South of Walnut.
* 39.946125,-75.151000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Barbara Neijna page

Unity
Richard Lieberman, 1969
* abstract form
* Bingham Court. East side of 4th at Locust.
* 39.946025,-75.147500 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* See also:
+2patravelinggirls' picture of another copy of this piece on the grounds of the Emmaus Public Library at instagram.com
+theartblog.org In memory of sculptor Richard Lieberman
+commons.wikimedia.org's Bingham Court page

Eagle
James Kiryakakis, Harvey Yellin, 1975 (approximate)
* small eagle, arrows, olive branch
* Gate. South side of the First Bank of the United States. West side of 3rd between Chestnut and Walnut.
* 39.947900,-75.146350 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* See also:
+nps.gov page with a picture and brief paragraph about this piece
+denverpost.com obituary for James Kiryadakis
+findagrave.com's Harvey Z. Yellin page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's First Bank of the United States page

Eagle
2001
* bird, tree
* Wall. Southeast corner, 3rd and Walnut.
* 39.946950,-75.146290 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists

Public Ledger Building
Horace Trumbauer (Architect), 1924
* reclining people, head scarf, scepter, burning oil lamp, quills, scrolls, books and tablets
* Entrances. Southwest corner, 6th and Chestnut.
* 39.949200,-75.150850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuilding.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Horace Trumbauer page

Washington Square Fountain
George Edwin Brumbaugh (Architect), 1957
* fountain
* Center of Washington Square. South of 7th and Walnut.
* 39.947050,-75.152310 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+Art Commission 1959 picture of this piece at phillyhistory.org
+findagrave.com's George Edwin Brumbaugh page
+wikipedia.org's Washington Square page
+nps.gov's Cultural Landscape Report for Washington Square (449 page pdf)

Eagle
Claudius F. Le Grand and Sons, 1797
* eagle, food, shield and arrows, olive branch
* Pediment. First Bank of the United States. West side of 3rd between Chestnut and Walnut.
* 39.948050,-75.146250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's First Bank of the United States page

Lions
John D. Battin, Jr., Henry Fiorelli, 1838 (reported year of installation)
* lions
* At the top of the two staircases. East side of the Philadelphia Exchange. North side of Walnut, East of 3rd.
* 39.947125,-75.145775 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1915 picture with this piece visible
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Philadelphia Exchange page

Mather and Company Medallions
Charles Barton Keen (Architect), 1917 (year of building expansion)
* kneeling people, boats, water, plants
* Wall. South side of Walnut, East of 3rd.
* 39.946975,-75.145850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Charles Barton Keen page

600 S. Washington Square Gates
Samuel Yellin, 1925
* abstract ironwork
* Gate. South Wasthington Square, West of 6th.
* 39.946069,-75.151677 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+samuelyellin.com

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
George Edwin Brumbaugh (Architect), Jean-Antoine Houdon, 1957 (original marble statue 1792)
* Statue of George Washington
* standing person, cane
* The statue of Washington is copied from the original marble by Houdon in the state capitol at Richmond by special permission of the General Assembly of Virginia. An eternal flame in front of the tomb, and the flags of the 13 original colonies fly along the walk leading up to it.
* inscription:
wall:
Freedom is a light for which many men have died in darkness.
In unmarked graves within this square lie thousands of unknown soldiers of Washington's army who died of wounds and sickness during the revolutionary war.
The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts of common dangers, sufferings, and success.
- Washington's farewell address, Sept. 17, 1796.
statue:
In memory of John Mclheiny
tomb:
Under this stone rests a soldier of Washington's Army who died to give you liberty
plaque:
The eternal flame dedicated in 1976 by Continental Bank in memory of those who fought and gave their lives that we might celebrate our 200th anniversary as a free people.
* Tomb. West side of Washington Square. South of 7th and Walnut.
* 39.947100,-75.152750 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's page for this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for the statue
+findagrave.com's George Edwin Brumbaugh page
+wikipedia.org's Jean-Antoine Houdon page
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+wikipedia.org's Washington Square page
+nps.gov's Cultural Landscape Report for Washington Square (449 page pdf)

The Triangle Fire
Frank Bramblett, 1983
* fire, clothing manufacturing tools
* Permanently in shadow and not easy to see.
* South wall of the overhang. East side of 4th, North of Chestnut, behind the security grate.
* 39.949475,-75.147250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* Exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire page
+frankbramblett.com

Woman Looking Through a Window
George Segal, 1980 (installed 1981)
* small standing person, window
* Building entrance overhang. North side of Chestnut between 6th and 7th.
* 39.949400,-75.151575 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+segalfoundation.org
+wikipedia.org's George Segal page

The Arsenal of Independence
Robert A. M. Stern Architects, 2017
* Reference to Benjamin Flower
* cannon barrels, sign
* inscription: (partial)
Imagine this neighborhood filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of war. Philadelphia's tradesmen and women produced muskets, cannon, ammunition, wagons, ships, uniforms and flags that helped to win American Independence. In 1775, hat maker Benjamin Flower lived just a block from where you are standing. He joined the Revolutionary cause and became Commissary General of Military Stores for the Continental Army.
* in front of the Museum of the American Revolution. Southeast Corner, 3rd and Chestnut.
* 39.948525,-75.145935 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+ramsa.com
+Orders to Benjamin Flower from George Washington on founders.archives.gov
+amrevmuseum.org

Lion Head Trough
1869 (relocated 1916)
* drinking fountain, lion head
* South side of Washington Square. 7th South of Locust.
* 39.946250,-75.152500 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Washington Square page
+nps.gov's Cultural Landscape Report for Washington Square (449 page pdf)

Mary
* statue of Mary
* small standing person, head covering, crucifix, rose
* Visible through a gate at the other end of an alley
* Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. North side of Spruce, West of 6th.
* 39.945650,-75.152025 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page

Washington Crossing the Delaware
Guangxi Qihe Bronze Studio, Emanuel Leutze, Dr. QiongZhao (Ellen) Schicktanz, 2017 (installed)
* Full figure relief of George Washington
* small people, mostly seated, some standing, hats, weapons, flag, boat with oars, clouds, horses
* inscription: (partial)
This bronze sculpture replicates the famous painting, Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze. It depicts Gen. George Washington leading the Continental Army on a dangerous nighttime crossing of the Delaware River on December 25, 1776 to attack Hessian troops stationed at Trenton. His attack was a final, desperate effort to gain a victory after months of defeats had reduced the Army to a small, exhausted, and demoralized force. Washington's success at Trenton reinvigorated the American cause and kept the Revolution alive.
The painting captures the drama, danger, and desperation of the river crossing, even though a number of details are historically inaccurate, such as the type of boat. The artist, Emanuel Luenze, grew up and was trained in Philadelphia, but created the painting in 1850 after he returned to his native Germany. The painting was a sensation when it was displayed in America the following year.
The sculpture is a donation from Dr. QiongZhao (Ellen) Schicktanz, a naturalized Asian-American artist, in gratitude for her life as an American Citizen.
* North wall. Museum of the American Revolution. South side of Chestnut, East of 3rd.
* 39.948495,-75.145650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+amrevmuseum.org's page for this piece and Declaration of Independence
+wikipedia.org's page for the original painting
+wikipedia.org's Emanuel Leutze page
+americangoddessartmuseum.com
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+amrevmuseum.org