Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Nearby 39.950540,-75.168875

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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

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

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

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

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

Estuary Gate
Christopher T. Ray, 1979
* plants, turtle, birds, lizard
* Gate. North end of John F. Collins Park. South side of Ranstead, West of 17th.
* 39.951900,-75.169000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+chrisray.com
+centercityphila.org's John F. Collins Park page

Brushstroke Group
Roy Lichtenstein, 1996
* big abstract forms
* West side of 17th North of Chestnut.
* 39.952050,-75.168900 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+lichtensteinfoundation.org
+publicartarchive.org's Roy Lichtenstein page

Chestnut Park Fountain
Christopher Collins, John F. Collins, John R. Collins, Ted Knighton, 1979
* fountain, abstract buildings, turtle, wolf head, bird
* Inside John F. Collins Park. Between Chestnut and Ranstead, West of 17th.
* 39.951900,-75.169050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+picture of the fountain on flickr.com
+collinsstudio.com (Christopher and John R. Collins)
+tclf.org's John Francis Collins page
+tedknighton.com
+centercityphila.org's John F. Collins Park 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

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

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

Compass
2000 (very approximate)
* abstract unlabeled compass
* West side of 17th, South of Market.
* 39.952635,-75.168700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists

The Presbyterian Ministers Fund for Life Insurance
1951 (possible date of building extension)
* small standing people, hats, baskets
* inscription: He that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully
* Above the entrance. North side of Walnut, West of 18th.
* 39.950310,-75.171110 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building

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

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

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

Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (18th)
Pablo Tauler, 2019 (announced)
* abstract design
* moved from the East side of the 11th street shelter to the South side of the 18th street shelter. The second picture is from the original location.
* panel taken from Chestnut Street Bus Shelters
* first in sequence: Chestnut Street Bus Shelter Panel (12th)
* Bus shelter. Southwest corner, 18th and Chestnut.
* 39.951630,-75.170475 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Moved, Mass Transit
* See also:
+pablotaulerpublicartwork.blogspot.com

Continental Olive
2005
* big olive sign
* Wall. Northwest corner, 18th and Chestnut.
* 39.951750,-75.170450 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists

Urns
Paul Philippe Cret (Architect), Florentine Craftsmen, Inc., 1966 (replacements of 1913 originals)
* small urns, people, standing, sitting, swords and spears
* There are two urns at each of the two North and South entrances. The map location is for the urns closest to the Northwest corner.
* North entrances of Rittenhouse Square. West of the Southwest corner of 18th and Walnut.
* 39.950105,-75.171285 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+APA Minutes from 1967 at digifind-it.com
+wikipedia.org's Paul Philippe Cret page
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org

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

Penn Athletic Club
Milton Bennett Medary (Architect), 1925
* small lion heads, standing people, athletic equipment
* West Wall. Northeast corner, 18th and Locust.
* 39.949300,-75.170750 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Milton Bennett Medary 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

Belgravia Lion Heads
1902
* small lion heads
* Wall. North side of Chestnut between 18th and 19th.
* 39.951800,-75.170860 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building

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

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

Solidarity
* idea flag sign
* inscription: Teachers Local 3 AFT AFL-CIO
* Front wall. Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. South side of Chestnut between 18th and 19th.
* 39.951660,-75.171100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists, Labor
* See also:
+pft.org

Evelyn Taylor Price Sundial
Beatrice Fenton, 1947
* Tribute to Evelyn Taylor Price
* small children standing, plants, sundial
* inscription: A tribute to Evelyn Taylor Price, President, Rittenhouse Square Flower Market Association, 1916-1939, Rittenhouse Square Improvement Association, 1934-1946. Erected by her friends.
* Rittenhouse Square. Near the Southwest corner of 18th and Walnut.
* 39.949735,-75.171420 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1949 picture of this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Beatrice Fenton page
+findagrave.com's Evelyn Taylor Price page
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org

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

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

1822 Chestnut
1870 (approximate year of building)
* plants, fruit and nuts, birds, crouching person, artist tools
* Entrance. South side of Chestnut, East of 19th.
* 39.951700,-75.171350 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry

1600
Collective Architecture, 2021
* big sign
* Wall. South side of Market, West of 16th.
* 39.952710,-75.167325 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+collectivearchitecture.co's 1600 Market Street page
+collectivearchitecture.co

Giant Frog
Cornelia Van Auken Chapin, 1941
* big frog on a rock
* Between the Northeast entrance and the center of Rittenhouse Square. Southwest from 18th and Walnut.
* 39.949600,-75.171675 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Cornelia Van Auken Chapin page
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org

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

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

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

Lion Crushing a Serpent
Antione Louis Barye, 1832 (cast 1891)
* lion, serpent
* Center of Rittenhouse Square. Southeast of 19th and Walnut.
* 39.949650,-75.172050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1913 picture of this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+bronze-gallery.com's Antione Louis Barye page
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org

Duck Girl
Paul Manship, 1911
* small standing person, duck, fountain, fish heads
* In the pool at the center of Rittenhouse Square. Southwest from 18th and Walnut.
* 39.949375,-75.171800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Paul Manship page
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org

J. William White
Paul Philippe Cret (Architect), R. Tait McKenzie, 1922
* Bas-relief bust of J. William White
* small head, hat, eyeglasses
* inscription:
Surgeon Teacher Author Athlete
1850-1916
Leader in beautifying Rittenhouse Square
1913-1915
* Between the Southeast entrance and the center of Rittenhouse Square. West of 18th, North of Locust.
* 39.949240,-75.171690 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Medical
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Paul Philippe Cret page
+wikipedia.org's R. Tait McKenzie page
+wikipedia.org's J. William White page
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org

Rittenhouse Square Fountain
Paul Philippe Cret (Architect), 1913
* small head, turtles, insects, snail, otter?, fountain
* Center of Rittenhouse Square. Southwest from 18th and Walnut.
* 39.949290,-75.171740 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Favorites, Mosaic
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Paul Philippe Cret page
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org

Milord La Chamere
Jean Dubuffet, 1973
* big standing person
* Was on the wall on the North side of the building on Market between 15th and 16th, facing Northwest. Moved some time before November 29, 2019. The first two pictures are from the current location. Visible through the doors when locked.
* Concourse level of the atrium. Centre Square. South side of Market at 15th.
* 39.952100,-75.166200 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Favorites, Moved
* See also:
+WestWords blog post about this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Jean Dubuffet page
+wikipedia.org's Centre Square 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

Billy
Albert Laessle, 1914
* small goat
* Southwest corner of Rittenhouse Square. 19th street side near Locust.
* 39.949200,-75.172400 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Favorites
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Albert Laessle page
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org

Under the Clothespin
Emilie Ledieu, Miriam Singer, 2012
* small buildings, buses, car and truck, street lights, trees, bicycle, El
* Under (and references) Clothespin
* Concourse level wall. Centre Square. South side of Market at 15th.
* 39.952250,-75.16570 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic, Mass Transit
* See also:
+publicartarchive.org's page for this piece
+publicartarchive.org's Emilie Ledieu page
+miriamsinger.com
+wikipedia.org's Centre Square page

Clothespin
Claes Oldenburg, 1976
* big clothespin, abstract standing people
* The sculpture is an elongated version of Brancusi's Kiss.
* Referenced by Under the Clothespin
* Top of the concourse stairs. In front of Centre Square. South side of Market at 15th.
* 39.952400,-75.16570 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Favorites
* See also:
+Travis Truman's picture of this piece at flickr.com
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Claes Oldenburg page
+publicartarchive.org's Claes Oldenburg page
+wikipedia.org's Centre Square page