Angel in the Public Garden

Casting Bread Upon the Waters

Though the official name is the George Robert White Memorial Fountain, many Bostonians like to think of it as the “Angel of the Public Garden.”

Located in the northwest corner of the garden, this Angel, also referred to as “Casting Bread Upon the Waters,” was completed and dedicated in 1924.

This statue and fountain, along with numerous sculptures and memorials across Boston, were financed by the generous donation of a longtime Boston resident and businessman, George Robert White, who became a prominent philanthropist in the early 1900s.

Upon his death in 1922, he donated $5 million to the City of Boston to finance “works of public beauty and utility.” He also asked that $50,000 be applied to commission a memorial in his name.

Lincoln Memorial

The artist of the statue is Daniel Chester French, who is famous for numerous statues and figures, including the nearby John Harvard statue in Harvard Yard, and most notably the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Beginning the sculpture in 1922, DC French modelled this angel from his muse, a 1920s flapper girl. Her delicate, graceful figure holds a basket, and with her arms outstretched, she scatters seeds. This statue and fountain are symbolic of the generosity of George Robert White, who shared his wealth to see what could grow.

Whether you’re visiting on a warm summer afternoon or passing through the garden year-round, the Angel offers a chance to slow down. The statue remains a familiar sight in one of the most peaceful areas of the garden, offering visitors a moment of calm. It also serves as a lasting reminder of George Robert White’s generosity and his commitment to public beauty in Boston.