This cast lead statue was created by artist Ruth Yates, who was born in Greenville, Ohio in 1896 and died in 1969.  After being educated as a sculptor at the Cincinnati Academy of Arts and the Academie Julian in Paris, she lived and worked in New York City.  She became known for her portraits and garden figures, and her sculpture was exhibited at a number of well-known galleries and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

The statue displayed here was originally installed at one end of the John's swimming pool located below the house.  After repeated vandalism, it was placed in storage until it could be professionally restored.  The sculpture now sits in front of Marie's beloved picture window, where she sat for countless hours reading and watching wildlife. It rests atop a handmade stand made by a MetroParks master woodworker staff member.  The stand is made from a fallen Ash tree that fell victim to the recent Emerald Ash Borer infestation.