Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building

The Court of Neptune Fountain on the West Front

The Fountain was installed in front of the Library of Congress in 1897-1898. Designed by Roland Hinton Perry, the fountain consists of a 50-foot wide semicircular granite basin set in a retaining wall flanked by a set of stairs. Within the retaining wall, there are three large niches. A 12-foot Neptune, king of the sea, sits on a rock in the middle niche. Neptune is flanked by his sons, the tritons, mythological gods characterized by figures with the torsos of men and the fins of fishes. The tritons blow on conch shells like trumpets. In the niches on either side of Neptune, is a nymph riding a wild sea horse. Out in the basin four turtles, two frogs, and a sea serpent spray water. On the retaining wall, just above the niches, are reliefs of dolphins and stalactites. Albert Weinert was responsible for the reliefs of dolphins and stalactites carved on the retaining wall.

Photo 66, Nov 2011

Detail of statues

A 12-foot Neptune, king of the sea, sits on a rock in the middle niche. Neptune is flanked by his sons, the tritons, mythological gods characterized by figures with the torsos of men and the fins of fishes. The tritons blow on conch shells like trumpets.

Photo 68, Nov 2011

Detail of statues

In the niches on either side of Neptune, is a nymph riding a wild sea horse.

Photo 67, Nov 2011

Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building

The Court of Neptune Fountain on the West Front

Internet Photo showing fountains at a time when there was water flowing.

Photo Neptune, Nov 2011