Dickens and Little Nell

Dickens and Little Nell is a bronze sculpture in Clark Park that depicts the English author standing beside his literary creation. The figures rest upon a granite base that anchors the work and makes it a permanent part of the park's landscape.

The sculpture was created by American artist Frank Edwin Elwell in 1890 and later acquired by private collectors. It arrived in Philadelphia in 1901, where it has remained in the park ever since, documenting Dickens' relationship with his works.

The sculpture depicts Little Nell from Dickens' novel, capturing a bond between author and fictional character in bronze. Visitors can see how Victorian literature takes physical form in public spaces and how art brings literary stories to life.

The sculpture stands at the intersection of South 43rd Street and Baltimore Avenue and is easily reached from the park. Visitors should view the work in good light to fully appreciate the details of the granite base and bronze figures.

This work directly defies the author's wishes, as he explicitly forbade any monuments or memorials dedicated to himself. Despite this clear instruction, it became one of the few permanent depictions of the writer.

GPS coordinates: 39.94873,-75.20956

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:43