Coadministered by City of Philadelphia Fairmount Park Commission Memorial Hall, West Park, P. O. Box 21601 Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19131
Coadministered by Fidelity Bank Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Located Fairmount Park West side of park, North Concourse Drive Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Date:
Commissioned May 6, 1898. 1901 or 1904
Notes:
Public Monument Conservation Project, 1986.
Fairmount Park Art Assoc., "Sculpture of a City: Philadelphia's Treasures in Bronze & Stone," NY: Walker Publ., 1974, pg. 168-179.
Bach, Penny Balkin, "Public Art in Philadelphia," Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1992, pg. 208.
Save Outdoor Sculpture, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia survey, 1993.
Summary:
The Smith Memorial stands at the entrance to the west side of Fairmount Park and consists of two curving, neobaroque arches adorned with thirteen individual portrait sculptures (2 equestrians, 3 figures, and 8 busts); two eagles standing on globes; and architectural reliefs of 8 allegorical figures. The portrait of John Dahlgren, dressed in his military uniform, is one of eight busts each installed in its own niche on the exterior of the arch. Dahlgren faces forward and looks off to his proper left.
