Fans of “Where the Wild Things Are” will instantly recognize the artist. There are no monsters in the mural, but the characters have that very distinctive walk. Sendak had a relationship with The Rosenbach Library (he was on the board), leaving his artworks and extensive collection of rare books on deposit where they were regularly exhibited to the public and accessible to researchers. Upon his death, a legal battle ensued to determine which of his collection would be left at the museum and which would be returned to his estate. One of the pieces that Philly got to keep was this beautiful artwork – Sendak’s only known existing mural.  Originally painted on the wall of a New York City apartment, the mural now lives on the first floor of the South Philadelphia branch of the Free Library.  You can view the mural from windows at street level or pop inside for a closer view.

Tobey says: Cute!

Location: 1700 South Broad Street (close to Passyunk Avenue and South Philly restaurants)