Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Nearby 39.949500,-75.166040

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First National Bank Building
O.W. Ketcham Terra Cotta Works, Ritter and Shay (Architects), 1928
* big and small birds, seated people, dog head, lion head, snakes, zodiac signs
* Zodiac signs and dog's head are behind the 15th street entrance awning.
* Whole Building. Southwest corner, 15th and Walnut.
* 39.949500,-75.166040 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: New, Gargoyles
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's O.W. Ketcham Terra Cotta Works page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Ritter and Shay page

Drexel Building
Charles Zeller Klauder (Architect), O.W. Ketcham Terra Cotta Works, 1928
* zodiac signs and symbols, ram, meregoat, bull, winged people sitting and kneeling, crab and fish, lion, musical instrument, scales, scorpion, centaur, weapons, jug, water, headgear, eagle
* inscription: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces
* Whole Building. Northeast corner, 15th and Walnut.
* 39.949625,-75.165850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+www.philadelphiabuildings.org's Charles Zeller Klauder page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's O.W. Ketcham Terra Cotta Works page

Tiffany Atlas Clock
Henry Frederick Metzler, 1853 (date of NYC original)
* statue of Atlas
* standing person, clock (sign)
* Was on the South side of Walnut between Broad and 15th. Tiffany moved three blocks West in late 2021 or early 2022 but does not appear to have reinstalled the Atlas Clock as of 1/18/2022.
* Above the entrance. Tiffany and Co..
* 39.949385,-75.165200 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+tiffany.com history page
+daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com with particulars of the history of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Atlas page

Silas Weir Mitchell
Paul Philippe Cret (Architect), R. Tait McKenzie, 1929
* Bas-relief bust of Silas Weir Mitchell
* small head
* inscription:
On this spot stood
the house of
S. Weir Mitchell
Physician - Physiologist
Poet - Man of Letters
He taught us the use of rest for the nervous
He created "Hugh Wynne"
He pictured for us "The Red City" in which
he lived and labored from 1829 until 1914
Erected by the Franklin Inn of which he was the first president
* Wall. South side of Walnut, East of 16th.
* 39.949650,-75.167150 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Medical
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+skyscrapercenter.com's page for the building
+1927 picture of the location at phillyhistory.org presumably including the house in question
+wikipedia.org's Paul Philippe Cret page
+wikipedia.org's R. Tait McKenzie page
+wwikipedia.org's Silas Weir Mitchell page

Athena and Cherubs
1927
* relief bust of Athena
* small cherubs, head, helmet
* Way over the entrance. East side of 15th, South of Locust.
* 39.948200,-75.166160 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Athena page

Manufacturers Club
1911
* small partial winged people, fruit
* South wall. Northwest corner, Broad and Walnut.
* 39.949500,-75.164525 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building

Packard Building Sign
Samuel Yellin, 1924 (year on sign)
* small standing, kneeling people, tools, scroll, staff, oar, plants, lamps, eagle, lion's head, seashell, urns, griffins, sign
* Best observed from the West side of 15th. Yellin is not listed anywhere as the artist for the sign, but he is listed as the metal worker for the building
* West Entrance. Packard Building. East side of 15th, South of Chestnut.
* 39.950650,-75.165650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+samuelyellin.com
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Packard Building page

Golden Fleece Logo
* small sheep, ribbon, Brooks Brothers Logo
* There used to be a Brooks Brothers at this location
* inscription: Established 1818
* East Entrance. West side of 15th between Chestnut and Sansom.
* 39.950775,-75.165700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Brooks Brothers page

Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (15th)
Pablo Tauler, 2019 (announced)
* abstract design
* the panel was moved from the East side of the shelter to the South side and one of the panes was rearranged. The second picture is from the original configuration.
* panel taken from Chestnut Street Bus Shelters
* next in sequence: Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (16th)
* Bus shelter. Southwest corner, 15th and Chestnut.
* 39.951060,-75.165875 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Moved, Mass Transit
* See also:
+pablotaulerpublicartwork.blogspot.com

Spirit of '61
Henry Kirke Bush-Brown, 1911
* standing person, hat, rifle
* inscription:
First Regiment Infantry National Guard of Pennsylvania
(Gray Reserves)
1861 - April 19 - 1911
* In front of the Union League. Southwest corner, Broad and Sansom.
* 39.949800,-75.164400 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1957 picture of the Union League with this piece visible
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Henry Kirke Bush-Brown page
+unionleague.org

Packard Building Gates
Samuel Yellin, 1923
* flowers
* Gates. Packard Building. Southeast corner, 15th and Chestnut.
* 39.950950,-75.165360 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page this piece
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+samuelyellin.com
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Packard Building page

Bellevue Lions
1989 (approximate)
* small lions holding shields
* Gateposts. Bellevue. West side of Broad between Walnut and Locust.
* 39.948750,-75.164605 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Bellevue-Stratford Hotel page

Washington Grays Monument
John A. Wilson, 1908
* Portrait on soldier's hat of George Washington
* standing person wearing a hat, rifle
* The base was created by Joseph Wilson in 1872. The statue was previously located in Washington Square (1908-1954) and at Lemon Hill (1954-1991). Pictures are from the current location.
* inscription: To Our Fallen Comrades 1861-1865
* In front of the Union League. Southwest corner, Broad and Sansom.
* 39.950060,-75.164350 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Favorites, Moved, War
* See also:
+Max Buten's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org page for this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece at Lemon Hill
+wikipedia.org's John A. Wilson page
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+unionleague.org

Fidelity Bank Building
Richard William Morton Keast (Architect), Edward Paul Simon (Architect), Grant Miles Simon (Architect), 1928
* reclining people, heads, standing people, headgear, hammer, artists tools, quill and scroll, dragons, ship, weapons, lion, tree, donkey, sun, sundial
* Keast is listed in two places as the actual designer of the building, but Simon and Simon are officially credited.
* inscription:
Libertas Americana, 4 Juil 1776
Non sine diis animosusinians 17 Oct. 1777 - 19 Oct. 1781
Fugio. 1787, Mind your business
Value me as you please
Masathusets
* Whole building. East side of Broad between Sansom and Walnut.
* 39.949675,-75.163925 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Richard William Morton Keast page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Edward Paul Simon page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Grant Miles Simon page

E.W. Clark Building Medallions
Clarence Zantzinger (Architect), 1928
* small winged horse, birds, bull, corn
* Walls. Northeast corner, 16th and Locust.
* 39.948650,-75.167675 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Clarence Zantzinger page

Mary and Jesus with Angels
John Notman (Architect), 1849
* statue of Jesus and Mary
* small people, one standing, one held, two flying angels
* Wall. Saint Mark's Church. North side of Locust between 16th and 17th.
* 39.948735,-75.168200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's John Notman page
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page
+saintmarksphiladelphia.org

Saint Mark's Gargoyles
John Notman (Architect), 1849
* small heads with headgear
* Walls. Saint Mark's Church. North side of Locust between 16th and 17th.
* 39.948825,-75.168350 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Gargoyles
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's John Notman page
+saintmarksphiladelphia.org

Philadelphia Building Chandelier
Warren Muller, 2008
* chandelier
* Visible through the window
* Interior. East side of Juniper, North of Walnut.
* 39.949425,-75.163050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+bahdeebahdu.com's Warren Muller's page

Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (Broad)
Pablo Tauler, 2019 (announced)
* abstract design
* moved from the East side of the shelter to the South side. The second picture is from the original configuration.
* panel taken from Chestnut Street Bus Shelters
* next in sequence: Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (15th)
* Bus shelter. Southwest corner, Broad and Chestnut.
* 39.950860,-75.164330 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Moved, Mass Transit
* See also:
+pablotaulerpublicartwork.blogspot.com

Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (16th)
Pablo Tauler, 2019 (announced)
* abstract design
* moved from the East side of the shelter to the South side. The second picture is from the original configuration.
* panel taken from Chestnut Street Bus Shelters
* next in sequence: Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (17th)
* Bus shelter. Southwest corner, 16th and Chestnut.
* 39.951255,-75.167455 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Moved, Mass Transit
* See also:
+pablotaulerpublicartwork.blogspot.com

Fiske Portal
Nicola D'Ascenzo Studios, Edward Maene, Milton Bennett Medary (Architect), Samuel Yellin, 1923
* Statue of Jesus
* people standing, halos and cross
* There is some disagreement about this piece across online references. The church site calls it the "Fiske Doors". The Smithsonian catalog entry only lists Yellin as an artist, who according to other sites only made the metal straps,which are only partially shown here. The Smithsonian and church websites list different inscriptions. I have listed both here. The piece is listed as "Christ in Majesty" on the church site and some Wikipedia articles but according to the Wikipedia "Christ in Majesty" page, that specific designation of iconography shows Jesus on a throne, not the cross as shown here.
* inscription:
(observed and on the church website): Come unto me all that are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
(on the Smithsonian website): NON EST HIC ALIUD NISI DOMUS DEI ET PORTA COELI + M + S + LOUIS SAMUEL FISKE : OBIT XI NOV MCMXVI + R + I + P + (THIS IS NOTHING ELSE BUT THE HOUSE OF GOD AND THE GATE OF HEAVEN)
* Entrance. Saint Mark's Church. North side of Locust between 16th and 17th.
* 39.948775,-75.168500 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Christ in Majesty page
+philadelphiabuildings.org Nicola D'Ascenzo page
+wikipedia.org's Edward Maene page
+wikipedia.org's Milton Bennett Medary page
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+samuelyellin.com
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+saintmarksphiladelphia.org

Ritz Carlton Residence Fountain
Handel Architects, 2009
* abstract fountain
* visible through the fence
* Wall. South side of S. Penn Square, West of Broad.
* 39.951325,-75.164650 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's page for the building
+wikipedia.org's Handel Architects page

Girard Trust Corn Exchange Bank
Allen Evans (Architect), Frank Furness (Architect), 1908
* relief bust of Stephen Girard
* big head, ships
* best observed from the East side of Broad
* inscription: Girard Trust Company, Incorporated 1836
* East pediment. Ritz Carlton. West side of Broad North of Chestnut.
* 39.951150,-75.164100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Allen Evans page
+wikipedia.org's Frank Furness page
+wikipedia.org's Stephen Girard page

One Meridian Plaza Fire Memorial
2009
* Memorial to James A. Chappell, David P. Holcombe and Phyllis McAllister
* small firefighter helmets
* inscription:
To sacrifice one's own safety
in the service of others
requires a courage that is rare.
Those among us who do
are true heroes.
* South side of S. Penn Square, West of Broad.
* 39.951565,-75.164500 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters, Unidentified Artists, Black Lives
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's One Meridian Plaza page
+findagrave.com's James A. Chappell page
+findagrave.com's David P. Holcombe page
+findagrave.com's Phyllis McAllister page

Gate and Gargoyles
Samuel Yellin, 1912
* small dragon head, abstract gate
* there are identical gargoyles on either side of the gate
* Gate (and gargoyles). South side of Latimer, West of 16th.
* 39.948150,-75.168350 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Gargoyles
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+samuelyellin.com

Roy G. Biv
Klip Collective, 2022
* abstract rainbow, neon lights
* Wall. Northeast corner, Juniper and Sansom.
* 39.950030,-75.162887 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+press release
+klip.tv

Eugene Ormandy
1983 (Guess. Year of hotel construction)
* Tribute to Eugene Ormandy
* partial people, conductor's baton, podium
* Wall. Outside the Ormandy Ballroom. East side of Broad, South of Locust.
* 39.947385,-75.164450 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Eugene Ormandy page

Girard Trust Building
McKim, Mead and White (Architects), 1931
* relief bust of Stephen Girard
* head, ships, lion heads
* North wall. Ritz Carlton. South side of S. Penn Square, West of Broad.
* 39.951565,-75.164240 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's McKim, Mead and White page
+wikipedia.org's Stephen Girard page

First Baptist
Edgar Viguers Seeler (Architect), 1899
* dove, olive branch, hand
* Over the door. First Baptist. Southeast corner 17th and Sansom.
* 39.950540,-75.168875 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Edgar Viguers Seeler page
+firstbaptistphiladelphia.org

WCAU Building
Harry Sternfeld (Design Architect), 1932
* radio waves, face, lyre, book, radio microphone?
* Over the entrance. South side of Chestnut between 16th and 17th.
* 39.951310,-75.168190 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuilding.org's Harry Sternfeld page

Moore Residence
Wilson Eyre (Architect), 1890
* small standing children, dolphins, fruit stands
* Front stairs and wall. Northeast corner of Locust and Juniper.
* 39.948100,-75.163290 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+wikipedia.org's Wilson Eyre page

Widener Building
Horace Trumbauer (Architect), 1914
* horizontal angels, globes, Philadelphia seal, ship, plow, bundles of grain
* also on the North end of the building
* Entrance. North side of Chestnut, West of Juniper.
* 39.950800,-75.162950 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Horace Trumbauer page

Pineapple
Rankin and Kellog (Architects), 1927
* pineapple
* Over the entrance. South side of Chestnut, just East of 17th.
* 39.951370,-75.168595 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Rankin and Kellog page

Benjamin Franklin
Francesco Lazzarini, 1789
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* standing person, books
* Behind dark and very reflective glass.
* The replica in the original location at 5th and Chestnut: Benjamin Franklin
* inscription:
Philadelphia merchant William Bingham commissioned this marble statue to honor Franklin. It was carved in Carrara, Italy and installed in 1792 in a niche above the entrance to the Library Company's first building on Fifth Street South of Chestnut Street. As seen in William Birch's 1800 engraving, above.
Exposure to the elements at its original site and in later years has produced the evident deterioration.
The dedication stone below the statue reads:
This statue of Dr. Benjamin Franklin was presented by William Bingham, Esq. MDCCXCII
* Front window. Library Company of Philadelphia. South side of Locust between 13th and Juniper.
* 39.947975,-75.163065 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Benjamin Franklin page
+librarycompany.org

Bonwit Teller Building
Bella Abdallah, 1927 (approximate)
* small urns, cats, birds, standing people, seated cherubs, pens and books, mirrors, face, Egyptian headpiece, flame
* Artist attribution is from philadelphiabuildings.org
* Entrance. Southwest corner, 17th and Chestnut.
* 39.951430,-75.169000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building

Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (17th)
Pablo Tauler, 2019
* abstract design
* moved from the East side of the shelter to the South side. The second picture is from the original configuration.
* panel taken from Chestnut Street Bus Shelters
* next in sequence: Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (18th)
* Bus shelter. Southwest corner, 17th and Chestnut.
* 39.951445,-75.168990 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Moved, Mass Transit
* See also:
+pablotaulerpublicartwork.blogspot.com

Historical Society of Pennsylvania Entrance
* state seal, horses, bird
* Entrance. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. South side of Locust, West of 13th.
* 39.947910,-75.162700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+hsp.org

Wissahickon Valley Gate
Christopher T. Ray, 1979
* plants, owl, insect
* Gate. South end of John F. Collins Park. North side of Chestnut, West of 17th.
* 39.951600,-75.169100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+chrisray.com
+centercityphila.org's John F. Collins Park page

The Sign Boy
Tom Miles, 1994
* small standing boy, sign, hat, dog
* Was on the East side of Juniper, South of Market. Removed some time during the first half of 2021 or late 2020 during renovation of the Wanamaker entrance.
* 39.951485,-75.162725 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+milesstudios.info