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More Smithsonian Searches     Who else has...     Donndorf, Adolf von,     Georg Howaldt & Sohn,     Figure group -- Family     Allegory -- Quality     Fountain     Outdoor Sculpture -- New York -- New York     Sculpture

Union Square Drinking Fountain, (sculpture). Artist:  Donndorf, Adolf von, 1835-1916, sculptor. Georg Howaldt & Sohn, founder. Title:  Union Square Drinking Fountain, (sculpture). Dates:  Commissioned 1877. 1881. Dedicated October 25, 1881. Medium:  Sculpture: bronze; Base: polished red Swedish granite. Dimensions:  Sculpture: approx. H. 18 ft. W. 7 ft. 6 in. Diam. 6 1/2 ft.; Base: approx. H. 4 ft. Diam. 19 ft. Inscription:  (On bottom molding of bronze base of sculpture, center front:) A DONNDORF.fec.STUTTGART.G.HOWALT.geg.BRAUNTSCHWEIG/1881/-DEUTSCHLAND signed Founder's mark appears. Description:  A woman in classical drapery stands holding an infant on her proper right hip while gazing down at a small child at her left side. Originally, the elaborate base had water flowing from four lion heads into four basins below, and was intended as a public drinking fountain. The basins are now used as planters. A lizard climbs on the panels between each basin. Between the base and the figures, a row of doves flies amid acanthus and laurel leaves. A lower stone base features rectangular seats which radiate from the basin area. Below the seats is a set of three stone steps. The entire fountain is installed in a sunken circular well area. Subject:  Figure group -- Family -- Mother & Child Allegory -- Quality -- Charity Object Type:  Fountain Outdoor Sculpture -- New York -- New York Sculpture Owner:  Administered by City of New York, Department of Parks and Recreation, The Arsenal - Central Park, New York, New York 10021 Located Union Square, West side between 15th & 16th Streets, New York, New York Remarks:  The execution of the fountain sculpture was delayed by two mishaps. Work began on the sculpture after the contract was signed in 1877, but part of the armature on the original clay broke on the way from Donndorf's studio to the foundry. Then, after the armature was repaired and the work was cast, it shattered in the foundry during the cold winter of 1879-80. IAS files contain copies of two related articles on the sculpture which appeared in the New York Times, Oct. 26, 1881, pg. 8. The Bach and Cohen publication contains a photograph of the fountains operating. References:  Gayle, Margot & Michele Cohen, "Guide to Manhattan's Outdoor Sculpture," New York: Prentice Hall, 1988, pg. 94. Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York, New York survey, 1993. Illustration:  Image on file. Gayle, Margot & Michele Cohen, "Guide to Manhattan's Outdoor Sculpture," New York: Prentice Hall, 1988, pg. 94. Note:  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. Repository:  Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012 Control Number:  IAS 87870099   Copy/Holding information Smithsonian AmericanArt Museum Control Number   Inventory of American Sculpture 87870099 Add Copy to MyList Format: HTMLPlain textDelimited Subject:   Email to:

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