The Bartholdi Fountain, (sculpture).

The Bartholdi Fountain, (sculpture).

Bartholdi, Frederic Auguste, 1834-1904, sculptor.

A. Durenne, founder.

The Bartholdi Fountain, (sculpture).

ca. 1876. Installed 1878. Relocated 1926. Reinstalled 1932.

Digital Reference:

Fountain: cast iron; Basin: marble.

Fountain: approx. H. 30 ft.; Basin: approx. Diam. 35 ft. (15,000 lbs.).

A three-tiered iron fountain placed on a triangular-shaped base rests in the middle of a large marble basin. The fountain consists of three female figures standing back to back facing outward. Their arms are raised up to support a circular fountain basin adorned with twelve electric lights installed around its perimeter. In the middle tier, three kneeling tritons support a circular bowl with their outstretched arms. At the top, water flows from a small circular bowl. At the bottom of the fountain, three reptiles positioned around the base of the fountain spray water across the marble basin.

Figure group -- Female

Animal -- Reptile

Mythology -- Classical -- Triton

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

Administered by United States Capitol, Architect of the Capitol, Washington, District of Columbia

Located United States Capitol, Independence Avenue & 1st Street, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia 20201

Formerly located National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia until 1932.

National Botanic Gardens, Washington, District of Columbia

Centennial International Exhibition, Philadelphia, 1876.

The fountain was first exhibited at the International Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. Congress bought it a year later for $6,000. The marble basin was ordered by Congress in 1878 for $3,000. Its first location was at the base of Capitol Hill. In 1926 it was removed and stored to facilitate completion of the George Meade Memorial, and for landscaping improvements around the Grant Memorial. In 1932, the sculpture was placed at its current location near the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Inscription plaque in front of the fountain reads: The Bartholdi Fountain/This fountain was created by Frederic/Auguste Bartholdi/for the International/Centennial Exhibition in/Philadelphia in 1876, where it was placed at a focal point on/the grounds. It was illuminated with gas lights,/later replaced with electric globes. Painted to/look like bronze, the fountain was designed/in three identical sections with classical forms/and symbols. The aquatic monsters, shells,/fish, sea nymphs and youthful tritons all refer/to the ocean. The fountain was intended to/represent the elements water and light./In 1877 the fountain was purchased/from Bartholdi by the United States/government and placed on the Botanic/Garden grounds, then located at the center of/the mall. The fountain, moved to its present/location in 1932, was restored in 1986.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey, 1993.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 250-251.

Washington Post, Aug. 11, 2002, B-8.

Michael Richman, SAAM curatorial assistant, 1967-1969.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, G-4.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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