Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Tour: West Park

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As a walking tour, this is definitely for folks in good shape. Unfortunately for pedestrians this part of the park is immense and the sculptures are spread out. A bicycle is recommended. We start outside the Zoo, at 34th and Girard and then go

West on Girard Avenue and Parkside to 41st
North on 41st to the Avenue of the Republic
Northwest on the Avenue of the Republic to and across Belmont
Southeast on Belmont to Parkside and then back to the Avenue of the Republic
Northwest on the Avenue of the Republic to the Mann
clockwise around the Mann to the back
Northeast on Georges Hill Drive to Belmont Ave.
Northwest on Belmont Ave, to Edgeley
Southeast again on Belmont past Montgomery/South George's Hill
across Belmont Ave. to the Horticulture Center parking lot
around the Horticulture Center in a roughly clockwise fashion
out the South side of the Horticulture Center South on Belmont Drive to Lansdowne
East on Lansdowne to Black Road
North and then East on Black Road to Martin Luther King Drive
A little North and then South on Martin Luther King

Giraffes
Gecko Group, 2013
* giraffes
* Northeast corner of the Zoo. West side of 34th, South of Girard.
* 39.974775,-75.195125 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+geckogroup.com

Zoo Sign
Gecko Group, 2013
* sign, logo, cat
* Northeast corner of the Zoo. West side of 34th, South of Girard.
* 39.974975,-75.195250 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+geckogroup.com

The Dying Lioness
Friedrich Wilhelm Wolff, 1873 - 1875
* lions, arrow
* Outside the Zoo. Southwest corner, 34th and Girard.
* 39.974750,-75.195550 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1900 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Friedrich Wilhelm Wolff page

Zoo Mural
Geronimo Company, Paul Santoleri, Steve Stormer, 2002
* big abstract, giraffe, hippo
* Focusing on the sculptural and mosaic elements.
* Railroad bridge. Outside the Zoo. Both sides of Girard, from 34th West.
* 39.975150,-75.195550 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Favorites, Mosaic
* See also:
+paulsantoleri.com
+findagrave.com's Steven Michael Stormer page

Peacock Light Rail Shelters
Suzanne Reese Horvitz, Robert Roesch, 2002
* peacock feathers
* Also known as Zoo Trolley Stop.
* Shelter. Outside the Zoo. Girard, West of 34th.
* 39.975025,-75.196500 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+suzannehorvitz.com
+robertroesch.com

Impalas and Lemurs
Gecko Group, 2013
* impalas, lemurs
* In front of the parking garage at the Zoo. South side of Girard, West of 34th.
* 39.974650,-75.197600 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+geckogroup.com

The Great Mother
Waldemar Raemisch, 1955
* big group of people, standing, sitting, book
* Formerly on the North side of the Parkway bewteen 19th and 20th. Moved August, 2008. The first two pictures are from the original location. The third and fourth pictures were taken during installation at the new site.
* Collectively known as Spirit of the Juveniles with The Great Doctor
* In front of the School of the Future. North side of Parkside at 40th and Girard.
* 39.974750,-75.203650 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+blog about this piece being moved
+wikipedia.org's Waldemar Raemisch page

The Great Doctor
Waldemar Raemisch, 1955
* big group of people, standing, sitting
* Formerly on the North side of the Parkway between 19th and 20th. Moved August, 2008. The first two pictures are from the original location. The third and fourth pictures were taken during installation at the new site.
* Collectively known as Spirit of the Juveniles with The Great Mother
* In front of the School of the Future. North side of Parkside at 40th and Girard.
* 39.974775,-75.203800 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Medical, Moved
* See also:
+blog about this piece being moved
+wikipedia.org's Waldemar Raemisch page

Pegasus
Vincenz Bildhauer Pilz, 1863
* Two separate statues of Pegasus with Calliope and Erato
* big horses, standing people, scroll
* In front of Please Touch Museum (Memorial Hall). Avenue of the Republic.
* 39.978935,-75.209500 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece (Calliope)
+Max Buten's picture of this piece (Erato)
+wikipedia.org's Calliope page
+wikipedia.org's Erato page

Art, Science, Industry, Commerce, Agriculture, Mining, and Columbia
Augustus Max Johannes Mueller, 1876 (approximate)
* standing people, sitting people, groups of people, anchor, column, globe, books and tablet, tools and machine parts, symbols of peace and victory
* On the roof. Please Touch Museum (Memorial Hall). Avenue of the Republc between 41st and Belmont.
* 39.979500,-75.209000 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building
+Max Buten's picture of this piece

Negro Leagues Memorial
Phil Sumpter, 2005
* Dedicated to Bill Cash, Mahlon Duckett, Stanley Glenn, Harold Gould and Wilmer Harris
* small standing person, hat, baseball bat
* inscription:
front: Dedicated to Bill Cash, Mahlon Duckett, Stanley Glenn, Harold Gould, Wilmer Harris, April 15, 2005
back: A special thanks to the Phillies organization for all of their wonderful support for this monument
* Southwest corner Belmont and Parkside.
* 39.977675,-75.213700 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Athletic, Black Lives
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+phillymag.com article about Phil Sumpter
+phillytrib.com article about Phil Sumpter
+wikipedia.org's Bill Cash page
+wikipedia.org's Mahlon Duckett page
+wikipedia.org's Stanley Glenn page
+wikipedia.org's Harold Gould page
+wikipedia.org's Wilmer Harris page

Catholic Total Abstinence Union Fountain
Isaac H. Hobbs and Son (Architects), Herman Kirn, Thomas McElwee, 1876
* Five statues, six carved portraits and quotes of and from John Barry, Charles Carroll, John Carroll, Lewis Cass, Henry Clay, Comte de Grasse, Stephen A. Douglas, Sam Houston, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Marquis de Lafayette, Theobald Mathew, George Gordon Meade, Moses, Orono, Casimir Pulaski, William H. Seward and Robert Walsh
* big and small standing people, heads, tablet, rocks lion heads
* Kirn carved the statues and McElwee carved the relief portraits. There is a blank portrait oval labeled Moylan on the West side.
* inscription:
John Barry
First Commodore of the United States Navy
Born in 1745 in Wexford Co. Ireland
Died September 13, 1803 at Philadelphia
During the Revolutionary War he distinguished himself greatly. He filled the various commands entrusted to him with skill and gallantry. When unable to fight on the ocean he obtained command of a company of volunteers and fought against the enemy on land. Among his exploits was the capture upon May 28, 1781 of two English vessels, the Atalanta and Trespasa, after a hotly contested action with his own ship the Alliance. In January 1776 he commanded the brig Lexington, the first regular cruiser that got to sea under the authority of the Continental Congress and the vessel that first carried the American flag upon the ocean.
Charles Carroll
of Carrollton
Signer of the Declaration Independence
Born September 20, 1737 at Annapolis, Maryland
Died November 14, 1832 at Baltimore, Maryland
To obtain religious as well as civil liberty I entered zealously into the revolution. God grant that this religious liberty may be preserved in these states to the end of time.
-Charles Carroll
Your soldiers will be masters of the spot only on which they encamp. They will find naught but enemies before and around them. If we are beaten on the plains, we will retreat to our mountains. and defy them.
We have made up our minds to abide the issue of the approaching struggle and though much blood may be spilt we have no doubt of our ultimate success.
-Charles Carroll
Rev. John Carroll
A commissioner of the Continental Congress
Born Jan. 8, 1735 at Upper Marlboro, Md.
Died Dec. 3 1815 at Baltimore, Md
The Archbishop's patriotism was as decided as his piety. He loved Republicanism. He had joined with heart and judgement in the Revolution and retained without abatement of confidence or favor the cardinal sympathies upon which he then acted.
-Address of Robert Walsh
May these United States flourish in pure and undefiled religion, in morality, peace, union, and liberty, and the enjoyment of their excellent Constitution, so long as respect, honor and veneration shall gather around the name of Washington. That is whilst there shall be any surviving record of human events.
-John Carroll
Father Mathew
The Apostle of Temperance
Born Oct. 10, 1790 in Tipperary Co. Ireland
Died Dec. 8, 1856 in Cork Co. Ireland
How Congress Honored Him
Upon December 19th 1849
Rev. Theobald Matthew was by a special resolution invited to a privileged seat upon the floor of the House of Representatives.
Upon December 20th 1849
The Senate Accorded to him a similar privilege - an honor which previous to that time had been conferred on Lafayette only.
That resolution is an homage to humanity, to philanthropy, to virtue
-Henry Clay
This illustrious benefactor of the human race and our own country
-Wm. H. Seward
He comes among us on a mission of benevolence - it is a noble mission and well he is fulfilling it.
-Lewis Cass
He comes here upon a great mission which commands the admiration and sympathy of all men.
-Stephen A. Douglas
There is love, purity and fidelity inscribed upon the banner that he bears.
-Sam Houston
* Avenue of the Republic and States Street.
* 39.982400,-75.219650 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+Pictures of this piece from the Philadelphia Archdiocese Historical Research Center
+wikipedia.org's page for this piece
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Isaac H. Hobbs and Son page
+ushistory.org's Commodore Barry page
+wikipedia.org's Charles Carroll page
+wikipedia.org's John Carroll page
+wikipedia.org's Lewis Cass page
+wikipedia.org's Henry Clay page
+wikipedia.org's Comte de Grasse page
+wikipedia.org's Stephen A. Douglas page
+wikipedia.org's Sam Houston page
+wikipedia.org's Tadeusz Kosciuszko page
+wikipedia.org's Marquis de Lafayette page
+wikipedia.org's Father Mathew page
+wikipedia.org's George Meade page
+wikipedia.org's Moses page
+history of the Penobscot Indians
+wikipedia.org's Casimir Pulaski page
+wikipedia.org's William H. Seward page
+wikipedia.org's Robert Walsh page

Florentine Lions
1849
* lions
* According to the Association for Public Art's page for this piece they have moved it "near the main entrance". I have not seen it in the new location and cannot verify the map location on that page, but the coordinates on this page are definitely out of date.
* Near the entrance to the Mann Center. Avenue of the Republic near 52nd and Parkside.
* 39.982675,-75.222100 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece

Tuning Fork
Raymond Granville Barger, 1984
* In memory of Lawrence Katz
* big tuning fork
* inscription:
In fond remembrence of
LAWRENCE KATZ
from his friends of
MANN MUSIC CENTER
1984
* Visible through the South gate of the Mann Center. Avenue of the Republic near 52nd and Parkside.
* 39.982775,-75.222750 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+michenerartmuseum.org's Raymond Granville Barger page

Law, Prosperity, and Power
Daniel Chester French, 1880
* group of people, one standing, 2 sitting, sword, tablet
* Rear driveway of the Mann Center. George's Hill Drive.
* 39.984425,-75.223250 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1938 picture of this piece
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipeadia.org's Daniel Chester French page

Bishop Matthew Simpson
Clark Mills, 1896 (posthumously cast, installed 1902, designed 1882 or earlier)
* Statue of Matthew Simpson
* standing person
* Belmont and Edgely.
* 39.994750,-75.217825 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+simpsonsenior.org's history page with a paragraph about this piece
+wikipedia.org's Clark Mills page
+wikipedia.org's Matthew Simpson page

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument
1909
* standing person, hat, rifle
* The soldier is identical to the one atop the Germantown Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument
* inscription:
Dedicated May 8, 1909 to the soldiers and sailors of the Civil War 1861 to 1865
Did they succeed
Let this monument be their answer
One country and one flag
In memory of the members of Courtland Saunders Post No. 21 G.A.R. Dept. PA
* Belmont and South George's.
* 39.985925,-75.215975 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified, War
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece

The Wrestlers
Ferdinand Barbedienne, 1885
* small people not standing
* Used to be located outside Memorial hall. The last picture is from that location. This is a small bronze reproduction of a much earlier work. Artistic credit is given here to the bronze founder.
* Parking lot entrance North of the Northeast corner of Horticulture Hall in the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive, East of Belmont.
* 39.984250,-75.209950 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Athletic, Moved
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Ferdinand Barbedienne page

Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon
Joseph Alexis Bailly, 1876 (unconfirmed)
* Statue of John Witherspoon
* standing person, scroll
* inscription:
front:
A lineal descendant of John Knox
Born in Scotland February 5 1722
Ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church 1745
President of the College of New Jersey 1788-1794
The only clergyman in the Continental Congress
A signer of the Declaration of Independence
Died at Princeton, New Jersey November 15, 1794
right:
For my own part of property I have some of reputation. More, that reputation is staked, that property is pledged, on the issue of this contest. And although these grey hairs must soon descend into sepulchre I would infinitely rather that they descend thither by the hand of the executioner than desert at this crisis the sacred cause of my country.
left:
"Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all its inhabitants thereof" -Levit. XX 10
* North side of the East end loop of the Horticulture Center. N. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont.
* 39.984050,-75.208900 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Joseph Alexis Bailly page
+wikipedia.org's John Witherspoon page

Rebecca at the Well
John J. Boyle, 1908
* Biblical scene of Rebecca
* people standing, head coverings, walking stick, jug, camels
* inscription:
Drink and I will give thy camels drink also.- Genesis XXIV:XIV
I give this legacy for a triple purpose: to ornament the city that William Penn founded, to refresh the weary and thirsty, both man and beast, and to commemorate a fact of sacred story. - Extract from the will of Mary Rebecca Darby Smith
This monument was removed from Twelth and Spring Garden Streets and erected by the Philadelphia Fountain Society 1934
* East end of the Horticulture Center. Horticultural Drive. East of Belmont..
* 39.983625,-75.208700 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Moved
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's John J. Boyle page
+wikipedia.org's Rebecca page

Joseph Haydn
Idusch and Son, 1906 (presented as an award)
* Bust of Joseph Haydn
* head
* inscription: Grand Prize awarded to the United Singers of Philadelphia
* Southeast corner of the East end loop of the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive, East of Belmont.
* 39.983040,-75.208625 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Joseph Haydn page

Lions
1891 (donated)
* lions
* inscription: Presented to Fairmount Park, Henry Lisle Waln, 1891
* In the middle of the East end loop of the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive, East of Belmont.
* 39.983575,-75.208935 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified

Franz Schubert
Henry Baerer, 1891
* Bust of Franz Schubert
* head, people standing, cherubs, musical instruments, plants
* inscription: Grand Prize awarded to the German Singers of Philadelphia Newark, N.J. 4-8ten Juli 1891
* In the middle of the East end loop of the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive, East of Belmont.
* 39.983550,-75.209125 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Henry Baerer page
+wikipedia.org's Franz Schubert page

The Journeyer
Lindsay Daen, 1975
* standing person, walking stick
* inscription:
General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation Ltd.
Dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America and to the great journey upon which this nation is engaged.
Erected June 5, 1975 in cooperation with the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia
* Just East of Horticulture Hall on the East end of the Horticulture Center. Horticultural Drive. East of Belmont.
* 39.983500,-75.209500 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Lindsay Daen page

Guiseppe Verdi
Ettore Ferrari, 1907 (installed)
* Bust of Guiseppe Verdi
* head, seated person, violin
* At the intersection where Horticulture Drive splits near the Southeast corner of Horticulture Hall at the East end of the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont..
* 39.983100,-75.209500 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Ettore Ferrari page
+wikipedia.org's Giuseppe Verdi page

Night
Edward Stauch, 1872
* standing person, hooded
* Near the Southwest corner of Horticulture Hall In a small garden on the South side of the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont..
* 39.982800,-75.210725 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece

Schiller
Heinrich Manger, 1886
* Statue of Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller
* two standing people, one winged, torch, sitting person, tree stump, quill
* South side near the East end of the central promenade under a tree in the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont..
* 39.982750,-75.211800 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+fr.wikipedia.org's Heinrich Manger page (translated from French)
+wikipedia.org's Schiller page

Goethe
Heinrich Manger, 1890
* Statue of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
* standing person, rolled paper
* North side near the East end of the central promenade in the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont.
* 39.983725,-75.212010 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+fr.wikipedia.org's Heinrich Manger page (translated from French)
+wikipedia.org's Goethe page

Sundial
Alexander Stirling Calder, 1903
* people kneeling, sundials, zodiac signs, hat
* inscription: Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your lord will come.
* Center of the central promenade in the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont..
* 39.983175,-75.212650 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Stirling Calder page

Gambol II: Mare and Foal
Robert David Lasus, 1992
* horses
* South side of the West end of the central promenade in the Horticulture Center. Horticulture Drive. East of Belmont.
* 39.982700,-75.213850 [map] [nearby]

Shofuso Japanese Lanterns
* lanterns
* visible through the fence along Belmont Drive
* Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. Belmont Drive between Horticulture and Lansdowne.
* 39.981200,-75.212800 [map] [nearby]

Major General George Gordon Meade
Alexander Milne Calder, 1887
* Statue of George Gordon Meade
* seated person, horse
* Lansdowne Drive, West of Black Road.
* 39.981075,-75.208140 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Milne Calder page
+wikipedia.org's George Meade page

St. George and the Dragon
Elkington and Company, 1877 (sometimes listed 1876)
* Statue of Saint George
* seated person, horse, helmet, spear, dragon
* according to multiple sources this piece was previously at two different locations on Arch at 13th and 19th
* inscription:
Designed and cast
1877
Elkington & Company
Birmingham England
for
The Society of the Sons of St. George
of Philadelphia
Founded 1772
St. George's Day, 23 April, 1978
* Martin Luther King Drive just North of Black Road.
* 39.983050,-75.205900 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Moved
* See also:
+Society of St. George
+associationforpublicart.org page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Elkington & Company page
+newadvent.org's St. George page

Alexander von Humboldt
Friedrich Johann Heinrich Drake, 1871
* Statue of Alexander von Humboldt
* standing person, scroll, globe
* inscription:
Alexander von Humboldt
Born Sept. 14, 1769
Died May 6, 1859
Dedicated to the City of Philadelphia
by its German citizens
* Martin Luther King Drive South of Black Road.
* 39.982325,-75.205850 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Friedrich Drake page
+wikipedia.org's Alexander von Humboldt page

George and Meta Conor-Wood Memorial
Ahron Ben-Shmuel, 1942
* Memorial to George Conor-Wood and Meta Conor-Wood
* seated person, deer
* Martin Luther King Drive below Black Road, opposite side, sunken.
* 39.981375,-75.205825 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+michenermuseum.org's Ahron Ben-Shmuel page

Possible trip extension:Art Museum Grounds (Southeast on Martin Luther King around the front of the Art Museum to 25th and Kelly Drive)
Possible trip extension:Kelly Drive (in reverse: Northwest on MLK to and across Falls Bridge)

Tour: West Park

See Also