St. George and The Dragon

Location: Fairmount Park - West River/MLK Drive and Black Rd.

Medium: Bronze on a Belgian block pedestal

Artist(s): Elkington & Company

Cast: 1877

Statue Plaque: St. George and The Dragon

Designed and cast 1877
Elkington & Company
Birmingham England
for
The Society of the
Sons of St. George
of Philadelphia
Founded 1777
--
St. Georges Day, 23 April 1978

Notes: Erected by The Society of the Sons of St. George (http://stgeorge1772.org), reputably one of the oldest societies in the United States. This society is still active and admits men of English Ancestry. It's mission now is to help students who wish to study in England.

It also appears that St. George's sword was broken off, not sure when it happened, but it shows how people suck sometimes.

Commentary: This is a beautiful statue that has and underwhelming pedestal and a horrible location. It is set about 80 feet from the road and is in an area that is becoming wooded. While I am against stripping the park of its statues I don't think this is the most effective location. In general the parks seems to have a thrown together collection of reject statues. Additionally unlike on the Franklin Parkway or up in the Wissahickon the sculpture in the park does not have informational placards. These would be greatly useful to explain why the statue is in the park, and how it connects to the City of Philadelphia.

About the statue itself, It is interesting that they decided to sculpt St. George in the nude. I did not climb the statue to confirm if St. George is anatomically correct, but I assume as much. While it is very well done most depictions of St. George are clothed, or at least with a cape. I would think this to be the reason it was kept in the park away from the public, but there are a number of nudes in Center City.

Maybe UPenn would be willing to host this statue, place it across the street form the Drexel Campus. I kid.

The Great Doctor

This piece is a companion to The Great Mother







Location: 21th St. and Ben Franklin Parkway (backside of Youth Study Center)

Medium: Bronze on Concrete Base

Artist(s): Waldemar Raemisch

Dedicated: 1955

Statue Inscription: No inscription save for name and dedication date on sculpture base, located on backside.

Note(s): See the Great Mother for notes and commentary about this work.

The Great Mother

This is one of two Sculptures located outside the Youth Study Center.





Location: 20th St. and Ben Franklin Parkway (back side of Youth Study Center)

Medium: Bronze on Concrete Base

Artist(s): Waldemar Raemisch

Dedicated: 1955

Statue Inscription: No inscription save for name and dedication date on sculpture base, located on backside.

Note(s): These sculpture along with its mate, The Great Doctor, are representations of the great caregivers of the city. These sculptures were Raemish's final works. (Source: http://www.phila.gov/property/vp_art_mother.html)

Commentary: Recently an effort has been made to put out placards along the parkway discussing the art that lines it. This piece was seemingly neglected despite its strong presence against the stark minimalist walls of the Youth Study Center. I ponder what will happen to these pieces when the Barns Foundation moves to the Youth Study Center property. Another shame, is that very few people walk up to these sculptures; is it because it is so set back from the Parkway, or the the half-dozen or so homeless encampments. When I came close to the sculptures to take pictures many of those sitting near, walked off or turned their back when I pulled out my camera. It is an ironic juxtaposition, that this homage to the caregivers is shunned because people are too afraid to go near some of this city's weakest citizens in need of care.

General Galusha Pennypacker Memorial

Location: 18th St. and Vine St. (Logan Square in-front of the Family Court Building)

Medium: Bronze on Granite Base

Artist(s): Albert Laessle and Charles Grafly (developed Statue concept prior to death)

Statue Inscription: Galusha Pennypacker
Brevet Major General
United States Army
* 1842 1916*

Note(s): Pennypacker was the youngest US Army general during the Civil War, achieving the rank of brigadier general at age 20. No Army general has yet been appointed to the rank at a younger age.

Transduction Variations 2007

Location: 20th St. and Race St. (Aviator Park at Logan Square)

Medium: Mixed

Artist(s): Suzanne Reese Horvitz; Robert Roesch

Notes: On loan from artist

A start.

For anyone who stumbles across this Blog, I decided to start it today while walking around my neighborhood in Philadelphia. I noticed a lot of public art that does not seem to get recognized and decided I wanted to bring some attention to it. This is my first real blog so to speak, so I'm sure I'll have issues with keeping it up.

If anyone disagrees with the information I post, leave a comment I'll double-check my information and correct any errors.