Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Nearby 39.949650,-75.167150

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Warwick Hotel
Samuel Brian Baylinson (Architect), 1928
* small crest, helmet, urn with standing people, goat heads, lion heads, human heads, winged people, birds
* Walls. West side of 17th, North of Locust and North side of Locust, West of 17th.
* 39.948940,-75.169800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Samuel Brian Baylinson 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

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

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 Triune
Robert Engman, 1974 (installed 1975)
* abstract form
* The first picture was taken facing West, probably after the Meridian fire. The second picture was taken in April, 2010, facing Southeast with City Hall relected in the glass of the new building.
* East side of 15th between Market and Chestnut.
* 39.951800,-75.165325 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Robert Engman page
+publicartarchive.org's Robert Engman page

Curtis Institute Reliefs
Horace Wells Sellers (Architect), 1928
* sitting and reclining people, musical instruments, plants
* North wall. Curtis Institute. South side of Locust, East of 18th.
* 39.948860,-75.170340 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Horace Wells Sellers page
+curtis.edu
+architectural history of Curtis at studylib.net

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

Curtis Institute Gate
Samuel Yellin, 1924
* plants
* Gate. Curtis Institute. South side of Locust, East of 18th.
* 39.948880,-75.170500 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+samuelyellin.com
+curtis.edu
+architectural history of Curtis at studylib.net

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

Drexel Mansion Windows
Peabody and Stearns (Architects), 1893 (original date of building)
* small fruit, cornucopias, plants, birds
* Both sides of the entrance. Curtis Institute. South side of Locust, East of 18th.
* 39.948900,-75.170635 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Peabody and Sterns page
+curtis.edu
+architectural history of Curtis at studylib.net

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

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

A Quest for Parity: The Octavius V. Catto Memorial
Branly Cadet, 2017
* Memorial to and statue of Octavius Catto
* big and small standing person, ideas, cube and mirrored orb, steles representing a streetcar and a representational streetcar, buildings, plants, horse, clouds, groups of people, some sitting, hats, guns, baseball equipment
* inscription:
South side of steles, North side of cube:
There must come a change which will force upon this nation that course which providence seems wisely to be directing for the mutual benefit of all peoples.
West side of steles, West side of cube:
Educator Leader Major Athlete Activist
South side of cube: October 10, 1871
East side of cube:
XV
Amendment to the United States Constitution
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
North side of steles:
1839 Born February 22 in Charleston, South Carolina
1854 Becomes a student at the Philadelphia Institute for Colored Youth
1858 Graduates from the Institute for Colored Youth
1859 Chosen as a member and recording secretary of the Banneker Institute, an all black literary society led by Jacob White, Jr. Hired as an English and mathematics teacher at his alma mater. Campaign to desegregate the horse-drawn streetcars in Philadelphia begins.
1863 becomes a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Helps lead a civil war recruitment committee with Frederick Douglas, members of the Union League, and others, which raises eleven regiments of black troops who trained at Camp William Penn in Cheltenham.
1864 Named corresponding secretary of the Pennsylvania Equal Rights League, an affiliate of the National Equal Rights League. Appointed Vice President of the State Convention of Colored People held in Harrisburg. Led civil disobedience protests and lobbied white legislators in Harrisburg to desegregate streetcars.
1865 Co-authored the state Equal Rights League call for voting rights, streetcar desegregation, and the hiring of black teachers for black students in public schools.
1867 Governor signs statewide "Bill of Rights" law desegregating streetcars. Led the Pythians Base Ball Club of Philadelphia to an undefeated season.
1869 Named principal of male students at the Institute for Colored Youth Pythians play the Olympic Ball Club in Philadelphia in the first match between black and white teams. A leader of the unsuccessful effort to integrate the private City Wide Congress of Literary Societies. Helps lead successful Pennsylvania campaign to pass the 15th Amendment which led to thousands of black men registering to vote.
1870 The Union League presents Octavius Catto, Frederick Douglas, and Robert Purvis with a banner celebrating Pennsylvania's adoption of the 15th Amendment at a ceremony on Broad Street. Writes curriculum for new schools for freed former slaves in the District of Columbia. Becomes a member of the original Franklin Institute breaking the color line at the prestigious national forum for advancing American science and technology.
1871 Named an Inspector General with the rank of Major in the Pennsylvania National Guard. Shot to death on October 10, on South Street in the midst of election day riots. He was 32, and one of many black men shot or attacked that day by opponents of the 15th Amendment. As one of Philadelphia's most influential leaders, more than 5,000 mourners attended his funeral and procession down Broad Street.
* South side of City Hall. North side of S. Penn Square at Broad.
* 39.951775,-75.164100 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Athletic, War, Black Lives, Mass Transit
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+branlycadet.com
+wikipedia.org's Octavius Catto page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page