Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Posted by: 
sherpes
N 40° 26.520 W 079° 57.114
17T E 588886 N 4477344
majestic fountain in the neighborhood of Oakland, in Pittsburgh
Waymark Code: WM4J2E
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 08/29/2008
Views: 61
Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain, also known as A Song to Nature, is a 1918 landmark public sculpture in bronze and granite by Victor David Brenner. It sits in Schenley Plaza at the entrance to Schenley Park and directly in front of the University of Pittsburgh's Frick Fine Arts Building in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The fountain is designated as a contributing property to the Schenley Farms Historic District.
The work of art comprises two major figures: a reclining Pan, the Greek god of shepherds, and above him a female singer playing a lyre. From crevices along the fountain's rim four turtles spew water into the basin. An inscription on the pedestal reads, "A Song of Nature, Pan the Earth God Answers to the Harmony Magic Tones Sung to the Lyre by Sweet Harmony." The basin of the fountain is 15 feet high and the figures rise above another 15 feet.
The fountain honors Mary Schenley. In 1889, after intensive lobbying by Edward Manning Bigelow, director of parks for the City of Pittsburgh, Schenley donated the land for the park named in her honor. Upon her death, Pittsburgh City Council sponsored a national competition for the memorial. The judges selected this design by Brenner, who is famous today for his design of the Lincoln cent penny, which is still in circulation.
In June of 2008, restoration efforts were begun that include repairs, cleaning, plumbing, paving, and landscaping. A gift from the Benter Foundation will provide lighting for the fountain and plaza. The restoration is expected to be completed by October of 2008.
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