Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net
Nearby 39.947525,-75.150250
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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)
Signers Walk
Franklin Mint,
1975 (installed current location 1999)
* Plaques with relief busts of John Adams,
Samuel Adams,
Carter Braxton,
Charles Carroll,
George Clymer,
William Floyd,
Elbridge Gerry,
Button Gwinnett,
Benjamin Harrison V,
Joseph Hewes,
William Hooper,
Thomas Jefferson,
Francis Lightfoot Lee,
Philip Livingston,
Thomas Lynch Jr.,
Thomas McKean,
Arthur Middleton,
Lewis Morris,
Robert Morris,
Thomas Nelson, Jr.,
William Paca,
Robert Treat Paine,
Caesar Rodney,
George Ross,
Edward Rutledge,
Roger Sherman,
James Smith,
George Taylor,
William Williams,
John Witherspoon
and
George Wythe
* small
heads,
parts of buildings
* Donated by the Franklin Mint in 1975. Moved to the current location in 1999.
People listed are those visible June 20, 2022. Many of the plaques are missing or damaged. One was covered by a planter.
Preference given here to likenesses of those least represented in the database as of 7/4/2022.
* inscription:
These plaques commemorate the 56 members of the Continental Congress who risked their lives, reputation, and fortunes by signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and 1777.
* Sidewalk.
South side of Chestnut between 6th and 7th.
* 39.949260,-75.151575 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* Exhibits: Missing,
Moved
* See also:
+inquirer.com article about this piece
+wikipedia.org's Franklin Mint page
+wikipedia.org's John Adams page
+wikiedia.org's Samuel Adams page
+wikipedia.org's Carter Braxton page
+wikipedia.org's Charles Carroll page
+wikipedia.org's George Clymer page
+wikipedia.org's William Floyd page
+wikipedia.org's Elbridge Gerry page
+wikipedia.org's Button Gwinnett page
+wikipedia.org's Benjamin Harrison V page
+wikipedia.org's Joseph Hewes page
+wikipedia.org's William Hooper page
+wikipedia.org's Thomas Jefferson page
+wikipedia.org's Francis Lightfoot Lee page
+wikipedia.org's Philip Livingston page
+wikipedia.org's Thomas Lynch Jr. page
+wikipedia.org's Thomas McKean page
+wikipedia.org's Arthur Middleton page
+wikipedia.org's Lewis Morris page
+wikipedia.org's Robert Morris page
+wikipedia.org's Thomas Nelson, Jr. page
+wikipedia.org's William Paca page
+wikipedia.org's Robert Treat Paine page
+wikipedia.org's Caesar Rodney page
+wikipedia.org's George Ross page
+wikipedia.org's Edward Rutledge page
+wikipedia.org's Roger Sherman page
+wikipedia.org's James Smith page
+wikipedia.org's George Taylor page
+wikipedia.org's William Williams page
+wikipedia.org's John Witherspoon page
+wikipedia.org's George Wythe page
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
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
N.W. Ayer Building
Ralph Bowden Bencker (Architect),
J. Wallace Kelly,
Raphael Sabatini,
1929
* big and small
standing people,
seated people,
partial people,
groups of people,
furniture,
sun,
swords,
books,
publishing equipment,
implications of building interiors,
zodiac signs,
ram,
crab,
centaur
* There are two large figures on each of the four corners of the building that are best seen from a block away.
* Doors and upper walls.
210 West Washington Square (West side of 7th, South of Walnut).
* 39.947250,-75.153400 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Ralph Bowden Bencker page
+michenermuseum.org's J. Wallace Kelly Page
+askart.com's Raphael Sabatini page
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
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
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
Light Fixtures
Gerald Allen,
Kent Bloomer,
1984
* abstract
flower-like
light fixtures
* Entrance.
South side of Locust, West of 7th.
* 39.946785,-75.153700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+bloomerstudio.com
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
Farm Journal Building Entrance
Bunting and Shrigley (Architects),
1912
* cornucopia,
food
* Entrance.
West side of 7th, South of Locust.
* 39.946375,-75.153550 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Bunting and Shrigley page
Integrity Trust Company Classical Scene
Paul Philippe Cret (Architect),
1924
* Relief with Athena
and
Hermes
* people
standing,
sitting,
winged helmet,
kerykeion,
tablet,
furniture
* This is from the redesigned middle third of the original building.
* inscription:
MDCCCLXXXVII
MDCCCCX .II.
* Wall.
North side of Chestnut between 7th and 8th.
* 39.949550,-75.153000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+wikipedia.org's Paul Philippe Cret page
+wikipedia.org's Athena page
+wikipedia.org's Hermes page
Quaker City National Bank Entrance
Willis Gaylord Hale (Architect),
1888
* heads,
headgear
* This is the Western third of the original building.
* Entrance.
North side of Chestnut between 7th and 8th.
* 39.949570,-75.153120 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* Exhibits: Gargoyles
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Willis Gaylord Hale page
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
Henry C. Lea Building
Collins and Autenrieth (Architects),
1901 (approximate)
* Commissioned by and subsequently unofficially named after Henry C. Lea
* people heads,
lion heads
* The information for the building from philadelphiabuildings.org and the city's historic inventory document is both confusing and self-contradictory and is not helped by the fact that the buildings on Chestnut were renumbered to the current standard. The historic inventory document says the current building was commissioned in 1897 but also says the combined adjoining building was occupied through 1900, which is why I am listing 1901.
* Walls.
South side of Chestnut between 7th and 8th.
* 39.949475,-75.153325 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+phila.gov historical inventory pdf that includes this building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Collins and Autenrieth page
+wikipedia.org's Henry Charles Lea page