St. James Court Fountain, (sculpture) | Smithsonian Institution

Object Details

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Kentucky survey, 1994.; National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, KY0048, 1989.; Altrusa Club of Louisville, "Cut, Cast, Carved," Louisville, KY: Chamber of Commerce, 1974, pg. 15.
Summary: A fountain consisting of a saucer-like bowl topped by a life-size nude female figure standing with proper right arm raised over her head holding drapery that extends behind her and across the front of her thighs. She stands in an open shell and is flanked by two seated cherubs who partially support her. Each cherub straddles a sphere and raises a conch shell horn to its mouth with one hand. The bottom of the fountain bowl is elaborately decorated with scrolls and swirls. Four children and two swans with wings spread, surround the fountain pedestal underneath the bowl. The children are partially nude and stand or sit on the pedestal base. The sides of the base are decorated with volutes. The fountain rests in a circular pool surrounded by a fence decorated with an intricate floral, vine, and scroll design.

Original ca. 1895. Recast 1974. Dedicated Sept. 14, 1975

Owner/Location: Administered by St. James Court Association 1402 St. James Court Louisville Kentucky 40208; Located St. James Court In center Louisville Kentucky

Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums

Topic: Figure female--Nude; Children; Religion--Angel; Object--Other--Shell; Object--Flower; Object--Musical Instrument--Horn; Animal--Bird--Swan