The Well of Scribes

A lost fountain and bronze relief that traced the story of writing at the Los Angeles Central Public Library.

Created for the west side of the Los Angeles Central Public Library, The Well of Scribes joined a fountain with a bronze relief that followed the development of written language.

The relief paired symbols of writing and learning with a sequence of scribes, from ancient traditions to the modern world. Removed with the library’s west-side fountains in 1969, it remains one of the building’s most elusive lost works.

The newspaper clipping may be copyrighted. It is used under the fair use doctrine for educational purposes.

Los Angeles Central Public Library

The Well of Scribes

The Well of Scribes, centre section with Pegasus, Los Angeles Central Public Library — The Well of Scribes, centre section with Pegasus

The Well of Scribes, right section, Los Angeles Central Public Library — The Well of Scribes, right section

Contemporary explanation of The Well of Scribes, Los Angeles Central Public Library — Contemporary explanation of The Well of Scribes

Sun and clouds spigot detail, Los Angeles Central Public Library — Sun and clouds spigot detail

The Well of Scribes relief, Los Angeles Central Public Library — The Well of Scribes relief

Newspaper clipping on The Well of Scribes, Los Angeles Central Public Library — Newspaper clipping on The Well of Scribes