Possibly purchased by Anthony J. Drexel at Centennial Exposition 1876 in Philadelphia
Exhibition
Curator Pick of the Month
Interpretative Labels
Label Type
Curator Pick of the Month
Label
Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904) the creator of this magical bronze sculpture is also the designer behind the Statue of Liberty located in New York City. Unbeknownst to Bartholdi, his sculpture would become one of Drexel’s greatest traditions and one of the collection’s most prized possessions. Though this sculpture was originally designed to be a fountain, the only thing flowing through this sculpture is good luck. Generations of Drexel Students have stopped by The Water Boy to rub his golden toe for good luck and a little extra help to ace their exams. The Water Boy is on display to the right of the marble staircase in the Great Court of Main Building.
General Notes
Note
Per article in Drexel Quarterly, Inaugural Issue: This sculpture was exhibited in the principal French room in Memorial Hall at the Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. It may have originally been designed to be a fountain. Possibly, Anthony J. Drexel purchased the sculpture at the Centennial.
He was active with the planning of the exposition.
He purchased Bartholdi's model for the Statue of Liberty at the Exposition.
The sculpture has had three different names "The Young Vine-Grower," "The Alsatian Vintner," and at Drexel, "The Water Boy."
Signed: " A. BARTHOLDI 1869"
Foundry: "F.BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR"
Known as The Water Boy at Drexel
11/18/09 Moved by Atelier from outside the Provost's Office to the right of the main stairs.
