Coiled Snake - Philadelphia, PA
N 39° 58.371 W 075° 11.823
18S E 483173 N 4424762
This piece was acquired through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the late 30s. The black granite snake can be found at the reptile house of the Philadelphia Zoo.
Waymark Code: WMD83X
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 12/03/2011
Views: 4
Aaron Ben-Shmuel, the artist who created this snake, was a WPA artist and this piece was acquired through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) This sculpture is at the entrance to the Reptile House. Enter from the North 34th street, go through the gates and stay to the right and off to the left is the reptile house and this statue, off to the right a little and front next to the main walkway.
The sculpture was dedicated October 10, 1940. The sculpture is of black granite with a stone base. There is a dedication plaque which reads: Python, Ahron Ben-Shmuel 1940; Dedicated October 10, 1940. The SIRIS site describes this as a simplified image of a snake wrapped in a tight coil. The sculpture rests on a square stone base.. The sculpture is approximately 18 inches x 31 inches x 34 inches with the base being approximately 12 inches in height.
This zoo is more of an art museum at times then a place to view animals and rare species of animals. I saw lions, and tigers and bears, all over the place, all documented and registered with the SIRIS site. Some of these sculptures were fabricated in the 1800s. It is the art and sculptures, outside and for public viewing, that make this a one-of-a-kind zoo. Definitely bring a camera and read up in advance on some of the works of art you will view. Have fun!