Bartholdi Fountain

Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the French sculptor who also designed the Statue of Liberty, created the Bartholdi Fountain. It was first exhibited in Philadelphia at the International Exposition of 1876, then purchased by the U.S. Congress in 1877 for six thousand dollars and placed on the Botanic Garden grounds at the corner of the Mall. Intended as an allegorical representation of Water and Light, the cast-iron fountain is designed in three identical sections with classical forms and symbols. Turtle-like aquatic monsters and large shells surround the base, and the pedestal holds three sea nymphs rising on their toes, with fish spouting water from between their feet. The nymphs appear to hold the large basin, though it is actually supported by the central column, and above the basin three youthful tritons playfully hold out seaweed while water spills from a crown at the top into the upper basin and jets shoot from the mouths of the fish and turtles. Weighing 40 tons and standing 30 feet high, it was first lit by 12 gas lamps. These were replaced by battery-powered electric lights in 1881, making it one of the first nighttime attractions in the city; lights surrounding the large basin were added in 1886, the fountain was completely electrified in 1915, it was moved to its present location in 1932, and it was restored in 1986.

Washington, District of Columbia · United States