Monroe Park Fountain, (sculpture).

Monroe Park Fountain, (sculpture).

J. W. Fiske Iron Works, founder.

Robinson Iron, founder.

Monroe Park Fountain, (sculpture).

Installed ca. 1908. Recast 1977-1978. Reinstalled May 19, 1978.

Digital Reference:

Fountain: iron; Base: concrete; Pool: concrete, painted; Retaining wall: brick

Fountain: approx. H. 24 ft. x Diam. 7 ft.

A Victorian-style, ornate, four-tiered cast iron fountain rests in a painted, concrete pool containing spotlights. The fountain is decorated with acanthus leaves around the bottom pedestal. Above the pedestal is the largest, lowermost basin of the fountain. It has a ridged exterior and four gargoyle faces that spout water, interspersed with scrolls and rosettes. The second pedestal contains four winged grotesques, topped with a band of abstract flower foils, below a lily-shaped second basin with shallow sides. The third and fourth basins are similar to the second basin and become progressively smaller, as do the pedestal heights between each level. The fountain is on a concrete base, and set within a concrete pool ringed by a brick retaining wall. The fountain is within a landscaped area contained by a wrought iron fence, with seven paths radiating outward.

Fantasy -- Monster

Fantasy -- Winged Being

Object -- Foliage -- Acanthus

Object -- Flower

Outdoor Sculpture -- Virginia -- Richmond

Administered by City of Richmond, Department of Recreation and Parks, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219

Located Monroe Park, Center of park, Richmond, Virginia

The fountain was originally cast by J. W. Iron Works around 1908, replacing an older stone fountain built when the park was developed in 1851. The surrounding fence and pool may be from the 1851 fountain. In the late 1950s or early 1960s, the top of the new fountain broke off and the Beautification Committee and the Department of Recreation and Parks had J. W. Fiske produce new molds for replacement parts. In 1962, lights and a new water pump were added, and the damaged upper tiers of the fountain were replaced. In 1970, the three upper tiers of the fountain were toppled by teenagers climbing on the fountain. On April 17, 1977, the fountain was removed from the park on and recast by Robinson Iron of Alexandria City, Alabama, at a cost of $14,700. It was reinstalled on May 19, 1978.

For related reading see Robert Winthrop's "Cast and Wrought," Richmond, VA: Valentine Museum, 1980. For related articles see: the Richmond Times Dispatch Jan. 22, 1960, May 11, 1970, and May 19, 1978, pg. A-1; and, The Richmond News Leader June 25, 1959. For related photographs see the Cook Collection (photograph nos. 43.59.141, 4728, 4729, 4733, 4738) at the Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA). Also see the Valentine Museum's Monroe Park files for related, unpublished materials. IAS files contain a related article from The Richmond News Leader July 24, 1962, pg. 12 and April 4, 1977. IAS files contain photocopies of two historic photographs, including: the fountain in the early 1900s; and, the fountain's predecessor, the stone fountain, circa 1890s.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Virginia survey, 1995.

The Richmond News Leader, July 24, 1962, pg. 12.

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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