February 3, 2021
300 Filbert / Filbert Steps
Haig Patigian is represented on this site with many of his works. Patigian (1876-1950) was born in the city of Van in the Ottoman Empire. His parents were teachers at the American Mission School in Armenia. He was largely self-taught as a sculptor.Patigian spent most of his career in San Francisco, California and most of his works are located in California.
This piece of art is now on private property, but proudly displayed. It is the studio model of Haig Patigian’s Creation that was sculpted for the Golden Gate International Exposition. It sat in the Court of the Seven Seas.
Photo from Wish You Were Here at the Treasure Island Museum website
The main exhibits of the fair were placed in buildings that were interspersed with broad courts. One of these was the Court of the Seven Seas. The walkway that ran through the Court of the Seven Seas led to the Tower of the Sun which you can see in the background.
The walkway of the Court of the Seven Seas was lined by sixteen equally spaced 64 foot pylons crowned by prows of galleons making a stroll a little humbling.
Patigian had four more sculptures at the GGIE. These sat around the great pool in the Court of the Moon and were titled Earth Dormant, Sunshine, Rain and Harvest.