Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Nearby 39.951255,-75.167455

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

Leviathan
Seymour Lipton, 1963
* small abstract form
* Disappeared some time before November 29, 2019. Reappeared some time before June, 2021.
* East side of 16th, North of Market. .
* 39.953225,-75.166075 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Seymour Lipton page
+publicartarchive.org's Seymour Lipton 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

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

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

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

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

Emancipation Proclamation Fountain
Gerd Utescher, 1964
* In honor of an act by Abraham Lincoln
* standing person, birds
* During a 2002 site renovation this piece was moved and turned and the non-functional fountain basin was taken out. By 2010 it was completely surrounded by trees. The first picture is from the old setting. The second is from the new setting. The third is a detail with trees.
* Courtyard. Bottom of the concourse entrance on the Northwest corner of 15th and Market.
* 39.952850,-75.165450 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Moved, Black Lives, Mass Transit
* See also:
+askart.com's Gerd Utescher page
+wikipedia.org's Abraham Lincoln page

Birds
Kathleen Fruge-Brown, 2014
* big birds
* Bike racks. West side of 15th, North of Market.
* 39.953140,-75.165500 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+artist's picture of this piece
+kathleenfrugebrown.com

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