Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Exhibit: Favorites

These are the pieces that received the most votes as visitors' favorites in contact forms. The contact form is no longer available, but if you want to contact the webmaster listing your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd favorite piece, your vote may influence the contents of this exhibit.

Swann Memorial Fountain
Alexander Stirling Calder, Wilson Eyre (Architect), 1924
* Memorial to Dr. Wilson Cary Swann
* big reclining people, swans, frogs, turtles, fountain
* Consists of three large pieces representing the Delaware, the Schuylkill and the Wissahickon, plus frogs and turtles. The fountain is on during the summer and is visible from both ends of the Parkway.
* Center of the circle. Logan Square. 19th and the Parkway.
* 39.957900,-75.170600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of one of the turtles
+wikipedia.org's page for this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1931 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Stirling Calder page
+wikipedia.org's Wilson Eyre page
+wikipedia.org's Wilson Cary Swann page
+wikipedia.org's Logan Circle 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
* See also:
+Travis Truman's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Claes Oldenburg page
+wikipedia.org's Centre Square page

LOVE
Robert Indiana, 1978
* idea
* The base has changed and the fountain has been removed since these pictures were taken.
* There is also a Penn Campus copy of LOVE
* John F. Kennedy Plaza (LOVE Park). Northwest of the Northwest corner, 15th and JFK.
* 39.954150,-75.165500 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Other exhibits: Peace and Love
* See also:
+Max Buten's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Robert Indiana page
+si.edu interview with Robert Indiana
+wikipedia.org's Love Park page

Playing Angels
Carl Milles, 1950
* vertical angels, musical instruments
* Kelly Drive and Fountain Green Drive.
* 39.980225,-75.198840 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kelly Drive tour
* Other exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Carl Milles page

Rocky
A. Thomas Schomberg, 1980
* Statue of Rocky Balboa
* standing person, boxing gear
* This statue has had several homes, including the top of the Art Museum steps and the Spectrum steps. It was moved to the current location September, 2006. The first picture is from the current location. The second picture is from the Spectrum.
* East side of the Art Museum. 25th and the Parkway.
* 39.965125,-75.179300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Art Museum Grounds tour
* Other exhibits: Athletic, Moved
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+schombergstudios.com
+wikipedia.org's Rocky Balboa page
+philamuseum.org

Split Button
Claes Oldenburg, 1981
* big button
* In front of the Penn Library. Woodland Walk, between 34th and 36th.
* 39.952210,-75.193700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Claes Oldenburg page
+library.upenn.edu

Dickens and Little Nell
Francis Edwin Elwell, 1890
* Only known statue of Charles Dickens
* two people, one standing, one sitting, chair
* Clark Park. North side of Chester, West of 43rd.
* 39.948625,-75.209550 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+Article about this piece by Martha Rosso
+phillyhistory.org 1910 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Francis Edwin Elwell page
+wikipedia.org's Charles Dickens page
+wikipedia.org Clark Park page

Tamanend
Raymond Sandoval, 1995
* Statue of Tamanend
* big standing person wearing a hat, eagle, turtle
* inscription:
In honor of the contributions of Native American Indians - the ancestors, the elders, this generation and the generations to come - this sculpture commemorates Tamanend, a Sakima, of the Lenni-Lenape Nation who resided in the Delaware Valley when Philadelphia or "Coaquannok" was established.
Tamanend stands on a turtle, which represents Mother Earth. The eagle, a reverend messenger of Great Spirit, has a wampum belt in its grasp. This belt recognizes the friendship treaty under the Sackomaxen elm between William Penn ("Mikwon"), Tamanend ("The Affable One") and other leaders of the Lenni-Lenape Nation. It reads "to live in peace as long as the waters are in the rivers and creeks and as long as the stars and moon endure."
Penn dealt with the Lenni-Lenape people when he came to the land given him by the King of England. He bought the land from the Lenni-Lenape through a number of treaties. Tamanend was one of the Sakimas who played a prominent role as a welcoming delegate on Penn's arrival in 1682 and in the early treaties of 1683 and 1692.
Tamanend was considered the patron saint of America by the colonists prior to American Independence. Tamanend day was celebrated annually on May 1st in Philadelphia and bells were rung in his honor.
* Front and Market.
* 39.949735,-75.142000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn's Landing tour
* Other exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Tamanend page

Keys to Community
James Peniston, 2007
* bust incorporating symbol of Benjamin Franklin
* big head and torso, keys
* On top of a wall. North side of Arch, East of 4th.
* 39.952415,-75.146300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+jepsculpture.com
+ushistory.org's The Electric Ben Franklin

Rittenhouse Square Fountain
Paul Philippe Cret, 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
* Other exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Paul Philippe Cret page
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org

General Galusha Pennypacker
Charles Grafly, Albert Laessle, 1934
* Statue of Galusha Pennypacker
* standing person wearing a helmet, cats, cannon
* inscription:
Galusha Pennypacker
Brevet Major General
United States Army
1844-1916
* North side of Logan Square. Parkway East of 19th.
* 39.958515,-75.169675 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Other exhibits: War
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1935 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Charles Grafly page
+wikipedia.org's Albert Laessle page
+wikipedia.org's Galusha Pennypacker page
+wikipedia.org's Logan Circle page

Aero Memorial
Paul Manship, 1950
* Quotes from and in honor of Julian Biddle, Richard Foulke Day, Norton Downs, Jr., John Drinkwater, Carl Christian Glanz, William Besse Kuen, Stephen Phillips, William Shakespeare, Stephen Spender and Henry Howard Houston Woodward
* small reclining person, birds, celestial globe
* The surrounding inscribed walls and benches are also part of the memorial.
* inscription:
pillar: Aero Memorial, World War I, 1917-1918
walls:
To the aviators of Pennsylvania killed in action
Thou hast caught splendour from the sailless sea, and mystery from many stars outwatched. - Stephen Phillips
Master and Maker, God of right the soldier dead are at thy gate who kept the spears of honour bright and freedom's house inviolate. -John Drinkwater
Born of the sun they traveled a short while toward the sun, and left the vivid air signed with their honor. - Stephen Spender
Death makes no conquest of the conqueror for now he lives in fame though not in life. -William Shakespeare
* Aviator Park. East side of 20th St. between Race and the Parkway.
* 39.958090,-75.172060 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Other exhibits: War
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece
+One of Max Buten's pictures of this piece
+Another of Max Buten's pictures of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Paul Manship page
+uswarmemorials.com Julian Biddle page
+findagrave.com's Richard Foulk Day page
+findagrave.com's Norton Downs, Jr. page
+wikipedia.org's John Drinkwater page
+uswarmemorials.org Carl Christian Glanz page
+wikipedia.org's Stephen Phillips page
+wikipedia.org's William Shakespeare page
+wikipedia.org's Stephen Spender page
+ pafa.org page for Violet Oakley's 1921 painting Henry Howard Houston Woodward

Puma
William Zorach, 1954
* puma
* South end of the Azalea Garden. 26th and Kelly Drive.
* 39.967750,-75.182950 [map] [nearby]
* On the Art Museum Grounds tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org William Zorach page
+tclf.org's Azalea Garden page

Joan of Arc
Emmanuel Fremiet, 1890 (listed dates vary widely)
* Statue of Joan of Arc
* horse, seated person, flag, weapons
* Most sources list Joan of Arc's dates as 1412-1431.
* inscription:
Jeanne D'Arc
1409-1431
* 25th and Kelly Drive.
* 39.966500,-75.179175 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Other exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+Another Max Buten picture of this piece
+bronze-gallery.com's Emmanuel Fremiet page
+wikipedia.org's Joan of Arc page

The Washington Monument
Rudolf Siemering, 1897 (restored 1997)
* Monument to George Washington
* big fountains, groups of people, standing people, sitting and reclining people, alligator, bears, birds, bison and oxen, elk and moose, fish, horses, snake, plants, shells, weapons, drum, net, hats, Pennsylvania State Seal
* West end of Eakins Oval. Parkway at 24th.
* 39.964250,-75.179150 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1910 picture of this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Rudolf Siemering page
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+wikipedia.org's Eakins Oval 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
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Albert Laessle page
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org

Three Way Piece Number 1: Points
Henry Moore, 1964
* abstract form
* Parkway West of 16th.
* 39.955540,-75.166850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+henry-moore.org

We Lost
Tony Smith, 1966
* abstract form
* Formerly on Locust Walk just East of 36th. In September, 2013 it was taken out of storage and installed in front of the new nanotech center. The last picture is from the original location.
* Original location replaced with LOVE
* North side of Walnut, East of 33rd.
* 39.952625,-75.188900 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* Other exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Tony Smith page

Dream of Sky
Timothy Duffield, 1976
* big abstract elephant
* South side of Market at the 37th Street Walkway.
* 39.956265,-75.196200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of Technology tour
* See also:
+inquirer.com obituary for Timothy Duffield

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Stonework
Frank Furness (Architect), 1876
* plants
* Front and side walls. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. West side of Broad, North of Arch.
* 39.955300,-75.163175 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuilding.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Frank Furness page
+pafa.org

Stone Age In America
John J. Boyle, 1877
* mother and children, mother standing, children crouching and carried, wolf, axe
* Kelly Drive, past Boat House Row.
* 39.971975,-75.190250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kelly Drive tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's John J. Boyle page

The Pilgrim
Augustus Saint-Gaudens, 1904
* standing person, hat, Bible, walking stick
* Other side of Kelly Drive at Lemon Hill Drive.
* 39.970100,-75.188660 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kelly Drive tour
* Other exhibits: Religious, Moved
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1912 picture of this piece outside City Hall on a different base

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
* 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
* Other exhibits: War
* See also:
+Max Buten's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's John A. Wilson page
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+unionleague.org

Pastorius Monument
Albert Jaegers, 1917
* Monument to Franz Daniel Pastorius
* big seated person, chair, hint of a boat, groups of people standing, plants, lamp
* Northeast corner Vernon Park. Germantown above Chelten.
* 40.036900,-75.176150 [map] [nearby]
* On the Germantown Avenue tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1921 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Albert Jaegers page
+wikipedia.org's Franz (Francis) Daniel Pastorius page
+ushistory.org's Vernon Park tour page

Over the Top
John Paulding, 1920
* standing person, helmet, rifle
* Misattributed many places as "Doughboy, Ernest Moore Viquesney, 1919." Thanks to Kenneth Berchem-Nigg for the correction.
* inscription: In memory of our boys of the sixth, eleventh, and twelfth wards who served in the Great War of the nations, 1914-1918
* Northeast corner, 2nd and Spring Garden.
* 39.960835,-75.141250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Northern Liberties tour
* Other exhibits: War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's John Paulding page

The Thinker
Auguste Rodin, 1925 (cast)
* seated person
* In front of the Rodin Museum. North side of the Parkway between 21st and 22nd.
* 39.961510,-75.174535 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+bronze-gallery.com's Auguste Rodin page
+rodinmuseum.org

Art Museum Roof Ornaments
1928 (year of building)
* griffins (museum logo), gazelles, plants
* Best seen on top of the South pediment.
* Around the roof. Art Museum. 25th and the Parkway.
* 39.965000,-75.181015 [map] [nearby]
* On the Art Museum Grounds tour
* See also:
+philamuseum.org

Art Museum Steps Fountain
1928
* fountain, fish
* Along the front steps. Art Museum. 25th and the Parkway.
* 39.964950,-75.180100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Art Museum Grounds tour
* Other exhibits: Unidentified
* See also:
+philamuseum.org

Shakespeare Memorial
Alexander Stirling Calder, 1928
* Memorial to William Shakespeare
* people, sitting and lying
* inscription: All the World's A Stage, and All the Men and Women merely players.
* North side of Logan Square. 19th and the Parkway.
* 39.958750,-75.171200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1930 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Stirling Calder page
+wikipedia.org's William Shakespeare page
+wikipedia.org's Logan Circle page

Ericsson Fountain
Charles L. Borie, Jr., Horace Trumbauer (Architect), Clarence Zantzinger (Architect), 1933
* In memory of John Ericsson
* fountain
* Date and artist attribution are from a 1939 WPA Guide Book
* inscription:
Dedicated to the memory of Captain John Ericsson, scientist, inventor, patriot. Born in Sweden July 31, 1803. Died in America, the country of his adoption, March 8, 1889.
* West end of Eakins Oval. Parkway at 24th.
* 39.964610,-75.178700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1934 picture of this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1961 picture of this piece
+philadelphiabuildings.org Charles L. Borie, Jr. page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Horace Trumbauer page
+wikipedia.org's Clarence Zantzinger page
+wikipedia.org's John Ericsson page
+wikipedia.org's Eakins Oval page

Benjamin Franklin National Memorial
James Earle Fraser, 1938
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* big seated person, chair
* Free, but not always open. Check times. The last picture is of a reference from the mural at 24th and Chestnut.
* Interior. Franklin Institute. West side of 20th, South of the Parkway.
* 39.958200,-75.173000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+official page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's James Earle Fraser page
+ushistory.org's The Electric Ben Franklin
+fi.edu

The Spirit of Enterprise
Jacques Lipchitz, 1950 - 1960
* Quote from Theodore Roosevelt
* big eagle, snake, person leaning forward
* inscription: Our nation glorious in youth and strength looks into the future with fearless and eager eyes as vigorous as a young man to run a race. -Theodore Roosevelt
* Central Terrace Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial. Kelly Drive, past Boat House Row.
* 39.973600,-75.190875 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kelly Drive tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jacque Lipchitz page
+wikipedia.org's Theodore Roosevelt page
+ushistory.org's Samuel Memorial tour page

Peace Symbol
Robert Engman, 1967
* peace symbol
* This piece has been listed as being by David Linquist or Lindquist, but according to the Smithsonian, it was a group student project supervised by Robert Engman
* Woodland Walk East of 36th.
* 39.952600,-75.194175 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* Other exhibits: Peace and Love
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Robert Engman 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
* Other exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+WestWords blog post about this piece
+wikipedia.org's Jean Dubuffet page
+wikipedia.org's Centre Square page

Covenant
Alexander Liberman, 1974
* big abstract arch
* Spanning Locust Walk at 36th Street.
* 39.952700,-75.200600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Liberman page

Diego de Gardoqui
Luis Sanguino, 1977
* Statue of Diego de Gardoqui
* standing person, piece of paper
* A number of different artists' names are listed in various places, but this one seems most likely. In 2012 this piece was moved inside Sister Cities Park, and the Children's Garden was built around it
* inscription:
1735-1798
Envoy of the King of Spain
* Children's Garden, Sister Cities Park, East side of Logan Square. West side of 18th, South of Vine.
* 39.958185,-75.169225 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Other exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+askart.com's Luis Sanguino page
+wikipedia.org's Diego de Gardoqui page
+wikipedia.org's Logan Circle page

Otters
Henry Mitchell, 1979
* In memory of William W. Bodine, Jr.
* small otters, rocks, fountain
* Moved from the West end of the building to the East end, probably in 2007. The first picture is from the original location, the rest are from after the move, and with a much lower water level in the pool.
* inscription: With Gratitude to William W. Bodine Jr. Leader, builder and friend of Thomas Jefferson University.
* South side of Walnut between 10th and 11th behind the building which faces Walnut..
* 39.947965,-75.157975 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Other exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+cantonartcollection.com's Henry Mitchell bio
+nytimes.com's William W. Bodine, Jr. obituary

Family
Timothy Duffield, 1981
* big people standing
* Was on the North side of Market St. between 18th and 19th. Permanently removed by the building's new owners some time in 2016, whereabouts unknown, possibly scrapped.
* 39.953450,-75.170950 [map] [nearby]
* Other exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+broadstreetreview.com article about the piece disappearing
+inquirer.com obituary for Timothy Duffield

Iroquois
Mark di Suvero, 1983 (installed 2007)
* big abstract assemblage
* Between the Parkway and Pennsylvania at 24th.
* 39.965050,-75.177800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+Another Max Buten picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Mark di Suvero page

Starman in the Ancient Garden
Brower Hatcher, 1990
* big face, architectural elements
* The first two pictures are of the piece in its original configuration. The second two pictures were taken after 2002 when the plaza was leveled and partially converted to a driveway, most of the Ancient Garden elements were removed, and the Starman was moved closer to the Walnut Street sidewalk and surrounded by concrete bumper posts.
* Plaza. Wills Eye Hospital. Southeast corner, 9th and Walnut.
* 39.948150,-75.155550 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Other exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+midoceanstudio.com
+willseye.org

Your Move
Daniel Martinez, Renee Petropoulos, Roger White, 1996
* big chess pieces, Monopoly pieces, dominoes, etc.
* Was on the West side of Broad between Arch and JFK. Severely deteriorated. Removed by the City in late May 2023 for eventual destruction.
* Scattered around the plaza. Municipal Services Building.
* 39.953950,-75.164150 [map] [nearby]
* Other exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Daniel Joseph Martinez page
+wikipedia.org's Renee Petropoulos page

Irish Memorial
Glenna Goodacre, 2002 (opened late 2003)
* small group of people standing, lying and sitting, grave stones, crosses, shovel, part of a ship, luggage, cane, hats
* Was on the Southeast corner, Front and Chestnut. Moved late 2023 through early 2024. Pictures are from the original location.
* inscription: (excerpt)
Remembrance
The hunger ended
but it never went away
It was there in silent memories,
from one generation
to the next,
The time to take away
the silence has come,
to commemorate,
to mourn what was lost
to celebrate what survives -
without apology or fear.
We have it in our power
not only to remember
what took place but to relive it...
To find in the hungry and lost,
not a different race...
but the faces of our ancestors...
An image of ourselves.
-Peter Quinn
* Southwest corner of Foglietta Plaza. Northeast corner of Spruce and 38th Parallel Place.
* 39.944500,-75.143825 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn's Landing tour
* Other exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Glenna Goodacre 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]
* On the West Park tour
* Other exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+paulsantoleri.com
+findagrave.com's Steven Michael Stormer page
+philadelphiazoo.org