Bailey Fountain, Fountain and sculpture in Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, US
Bailey Fountain features six large bronze figures arranged around a central water basin in Grand Army Plaza, depicting human virtues and values. The sculptural composition includes characters representing different aspects of life, with decorative water features and details that draw from classical and mythological imagery.
The fountain was built between 1929 and 1932 by sculptor Eugene Savage, replacing several earlier fountains that had occupied the plaza since the 1800s. This replacement marked a shift in how the public space was redesigned with new artistic approaches of that era.
The figures around the fountain tell a story about human life and the values that guide people. Walking around it, you notice how each bronze character seems to represent different stages of living and thinking.
The fountain sits in an open plaza that is easy to approach and walk around from multiple directions. You can view the sculptural details and water features clearly from various vantage points around the space.
The water basin includes two figures with fish tails that emerge from the water, adding a mythological marine element to an urban plaza. This unusual detail brings classical sea mythology directly into the heart of the city in a way that catches many visitors off guard.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
