Downtown in Sarasota in Sarasota County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Mermaid Fountain

L’Aria della Figlia Muta

— Nancy Goodheart Matthews 1993 —

The Mermaid Fountain Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 2, 2025

1. The Mermaid Fountain Marker

Inscription. L'Aria della Figlia Muta, known as The Mermaid Fountain, was created by Nancy Goodheart Matthews in 1993. In 1995 the Smithsonian Institution chose to register this artwork as a sculpture in their inventory of American artists in public and private collections.

Based on Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung's work, the south dome depicts feminine symbols: the moon, the ocean, symbols for the unconscious. The mermaid's arms are raised in greeting. The north dome references male symbols: the Tree of Life, the sun, the land. The two domes together create a balanced whole with an underwater compass rose orienting the work to the earth. All the bas relief carvings and panels are glazed earthenware and glass mosaic.

The English translation of the sculpture's Italian title is Song of the Silent Daughter. The sculpture was funded by the City of Sarasota Public Art Program.
Overall artwork dimensions: 10 ft. 8" x 34 ft. x 46 ft.
Architect for the cement structure: Russell Moore

Erected by City of Sarasota Public Art Program.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music

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• Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1993.

Location. 27° 20.103′ N, 82° 32.453′ W. Marker is in Sarasota, Florida, in Sarasota County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of South Pineapple Avenue and Lemon Avenue, on the right when traveling north on South Pineapple Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 135 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota FL 34236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Paul N. Thorpe Jr. Park (a few steps from this marker); Methodist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Worth's Block (about 500 feet away); Seaboard Railway Depot

Smithsonian recognizes Sarasota's 'Mermaid Fountain' sculpture on the National Registry of Public Ar image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Via, unknown

2. Smithsonian recognizes Sarasota's 'Mermaid Fountain' sculpture on the National Registry of Public Ar

News 10 Tampa Bay website entry
Click for more information.

(about 700 feet away); City of Sarasota (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Palm Tower (approx. 0.2 miles away); American National Bank (approx. 0.2 miles away); John D. MacDonald 1916-1986/John D. and the Friday Liars (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sarasota.

Also see . . .
1. Sarasota celebrates national recognition for downtown fountain of dreams. (Submitted on July 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Meet the Woman Behind Downtown Sarasota’s Mermaid Fountain. (Submitted on July 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, July 2, 2025

3. The Mermaid Fountain Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on July 13, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on July 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the fountain • Can you help?