Eve

Eve is a bronze sculpture displayed in a fountain within Ball Nurses' Sunken Garden, depicting a female figure with arms crossed behind her head, gazing downward. The work stands approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and creates a meditative focal point within the garden space.

Robert William Davidson created this work in 1931 as an original bronze composition. The sculpture was exhibited at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair before being relocated to its current location in Indianapolis.

The sculpture took its name from Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing practice. Nursing students at the university adopted the figure as a symbol and developed a graduation tradition involving decorating it with their uniforms and caps.

The sculpture is located within Ball Nurses' Sunken Garden on the university campus and is accessible during daylight hours. The garden setting provides a peaceful environment for viewing and photographing the work.

Museum studies students at IUPUI conducted research on this work as part of a project examining some 40 outdoor artworks across the campus. The piece underwent professional restoration at the Indianapolis Museum of Art before being returned to the fountain in 2016.

Location: Indianapolis

Inception: 1932

Creator: Robert William Davidson

GPS coordinates: 39.77590,-86.18210

Latest update: December 12, 2025 08:01