Lillian Goldman Fountain of Life, 1905

Lillian Goldman Fountain of Life, 1905. Charles E. Tefft (1874-1951), Sculptor. , This historic fountain was restored for its centennial in 2005., After the Library Building was completed in 1901, the National Sculpture Society organized a design competition to help the Botanical Garden select a sculpture to top this marble fountain In Charles E. Tefft's winning design a sex nymph and her cherubic attendants struggle to control a pair of wild-eyed seahorses pulling their seashell chariot. A startled mermaid and merman hurry out of the way in the pool below. The dynamic composition, inspired by Italian Renaissance fountains, reflects the grandeur of Beaux-Arts public sculpture in America at the turn of the 20th century., After 100 years as the focal point of the Library Building's entrance, the Fountain of Life was restored in 2005. The original bronze was treated to restore its patina to the original seafoam green color matching the building's dome. Tiff's original mermaid and merman had been missing for decades. The figure seen here were sculpted by Glenn and Diane Hines based on historical photographs, cast in bronze at a New York foundry, and returned to the sculpture as part of its restoration., Leadership support provided by The Lillian Goldman Charitable Trust and The City of New York Michael Bloomberg, Mayor Kate D. Levin, Commissioner. Department of Cultural Allies and the City Council. The Goldman family would like to thank Stephen Doyle for creating the bone book dedicated to Lillian Goldman on the fountain's edge.