Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, (sculpture).

Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, (sculpture).

Unknown (Italian), sculptor.

O'Toole, Edward, contractor.

Edward O'Toole Company, contractor.

Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, (sculpture).

Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, (sculpture).

Figure of Mary commissioned Aug. or Sept. 1955. Figure of Bernadette commissioned June 21, 1956. Installed after June 4, 1957.

Figures: Carrara marble, painted; Grotto: stone.

2 figures. Figure of Mary: approx. 5 ft. 6 in. x 2 ft. x 2 ft.; Figure of Bernadette: approx. 3 ft. 6 in. x 2 ft. x 2 1/2 ft.; Grotto: approx. H. 15 ft.

Stone grotto containing two marble figures illustrating Bernadette's vision of Mary at Lourdes. The figure of the kneeling Bernadette is placed at ground level to the proper right of Mary who stands a niche about four feet above ground level. Bernadette's hands are clasped in prayer and her eyes are closed. Her head is covered and she wears loose drapery; her feet ar barely visible. A rosary hangs from her proper right arm. Her head is tilted up looking toward Mary who is also adorned in loose drapery from head to toe. Mary's dress is decorated with a fleur de lis border. Her proper right hand is pressed to her chest and her proper left hand holds a bouquet of flowers.

Religion -- New Testament -- Mary

Religion -- Saint -- St. Bernadette

Outdoor Sculpture -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Administered by Duquesne University, Physical Plant, Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282

Located Duquesne University, Bluff Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282

IAS files contain a related article from: "L'Esprit du Duc" (Duquesne University yearbook), 1959, pg. 134-135. The Duquesne University Archives file on the grotto includes correspondence between Vernon Gallagher, president of the school, and Edward O'Toole of Edward O'Toole Company, Inc. which detail the commissioning and installation of the two figures. The sculptures were carved in Italy to Gallagher's specifications which noted that he wanted Mary's eyes to look down on the shrine's visitors. Although he was not entirely pleased with the eyes when the figure arrived, O'Toole reassured him and in 1956 he commissioned the figure of Bernadette. The figure of Bernadette did not arrive until sometime after June 4, 1957. Both figures were installed in the grotto built with the help of the Phi Kappa fraternity. The shrine originally incorporated a small pool of running water which is no longer operating.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Pennsylvania survey, 1995.

"L'Esprit du Duc," (Duquesne University yearbook), 1959, pg. 134-135.

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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