The Boy and Frog Fountain

One of the original Plaza fountains imported by J.C. Nichols from Italy in the 1920s. A bronze sculpture of a young boy holding a frog from which water spouts; an enduring symbol of the Plaza’s Spanish/Mediterranean Revival character.

History

The Boy and Frog Fountain was imported by J.C. Nichols (jc-nichols) from Italy in the late 1920s as part of his ongoing effort to populate the Plaza with authentic European art + decoration. The bronze figure is attributed to Italian sculptor Raffaello Romanelli — though specific attribution requires further research.¹

The fountain has been one of the Plaza’s signature smaller fountains since its installation. It has been periodically restored + repositioned but has remained on the Plaza continuously since the 1920s.

Architecture + materials

Cast bronze figure of a young boy holding a frog. Water spouts from the frog’s mouth into a limestone basin. The sculpture stands approximately 4 feet tall.

Current status

Operating, with seasonal off-period in winter.

Cultural significance

The Boy and Frog Fountain is among the most-photographed Plaza fountains, particularly popular with families and visitors. The verdigris-patinated bronze figure has become a beloved Plaza fixture.

The fountain exemplifies J.C. Nichols’s import strategy — Nichols deliberately brought authentic European artworks + architectural elements to the Plaza to establish its Mediterranean aesthetic. The Boy and Frog Fountain is one of the most-intact surviving examples of this practice.

Visiting

• Address: Country Club Plaza, Nichols Rd
• Best time to visit: Spring through fall
• Public access: Free; 24-hour public space

Sources

Footnotes

1. Country Club Plaza Inc. — Plaza fountains historical guide.. ↩