Tyler Davidson Fountain, Bronze fountain in Downtown Cincinnati, United States
The Tyler Davidson Fountain is a 43-foot tall bronze structure in downtown Cincinnati featuring a central female figure called the Genius of Water. She pours water from her hands over four bronze panels below that show different uses of water in human life.
Cincinnati merchant Henry Probasco commissioned German sculptor Ferdinand von Miller to design the fountain and dedicated it on October 6, 1871. This founding moment established the work as an early example of a major public art installation in an American city.
The fountain anchors Fountain Square, serving as a central meeting point where residents and visitors gather throughout the day. The surrounding plaza becomes especially lively during seasonal events and celebrations that draw people from across the city.
The four working drinking fountains at the base provide fresh water when temperatures stay above freezing, typically available spring through autumn. The plaza around it is easily accessible on foot and sits near shops and restaurants, making it convenient to combine a visit with other downtown activities.
The bronze metal comes from melted Danish cannons purchased by the Royal Bavarian Bronze Foundry after the Schleswig-Holstein war. This unexpected origin connects the work to European military history in an surprising way.
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