The Fountain of the Centaurs stands on the north grounds of the Missouri State Capitol, a bronze sculpture group installed in 1926 depicting rearing centaurs — half-man, half-horse figures from Greek mythology — surrounding a central basin. The sculptor was Frederick C. Hibbard, who received the commission as part of the Capitol's original landscaping plan. It's an imposing piece, larger than most visitors expect, and the centaurs' expressions hover between fury and dignity.
The fountain is a natural stopping point when touring the Capitol grounds. The north terrace where it sits offers a good view back toward the Capitol dome, and in warm weather the grounds around it are pleasant to walk. It's often photographed but rarely studied closely — the sculptural detail rewards a longer look than most people give it.