Brookgreen Gardens Photography

Overview: A photographic walk through Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach, capturing the sculptures, wildlife, and Lowcountry charm that make this South Carolina landmark unforgettable.

One of our favorite day trips near Myrtle Beach is Brookgreen Gardens, located beside Huntington Beach State Park. The 2,500‑acre property features one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of American figurative sculpture in the country.

It’s worth an afternoon to wander and see the indoor galleries, lowcountry zoo, and botanical garden. Read more about Brookgreen Gardens and nearby Atalaya Castle.

Featured sculptures & scenes from Brookgreen Gardens

A nude man seated on the back of an alligator, his legs gathered under him. His left hand grasps the jaw, his right arm curves around the tail, bending the creature's body in a semi-circle. — "Alligator Bender" by Nathaniel Choate; 1937 — Catalog number S.1937.011

"Girl with Dolphin" by Milton Horn; 1929 — Catalog number S.1936.074

"Diana" by Augustus Saint-Gaudens; 1893 — Catalog number S.1990.003

A child, the head framed by bunches of pine needles and cones, sits sideways on a rock playing panpipes while a frog listens. — "Wood Nymph" by Henry Hering; 1935 — Catalog number S.1935.008

A powerful man is by his own efforts freeing his body from a stone block. All but his legs have emerged, as with tremendous effort he raises a primitive hammer to strike the chisel held against his thigh. — "Man Carving His Own Destiny" Albin Polasek; 1961 — Catalog number S.1961.003

A child, with a wreath of grapes in the hair sits sideways on a rock, playing a flute. Behind the rock springs an oak branch and at the base a turtle lifts its head. — "Wood Nymph" by Henry Hering; 1935 — Catalog number S.1935.007

"The Young Diana" by Anna Hyatt Huntington; 1924 — Catalog number S.1934.012

"Diana of the Chase" by Anna Hyatt Huntington; 1922 — Catalog number S.1934.006

A partially nude male figure, Dionysus, is crowned with ivy. He is standing nonchalantly, one knee bent with hand on hips. Holding a thrysus over the head of a panther, which curls behind his legs. — "Dionysus" by Edward McCartan; 1937 — Catalog number S.1937.003

Diana leaps forward, a curling plant frond below her. She looks back, bow drawn with proper left hand. Beneath her feet a hound races, its head turned back towards her. — "Diana" by Paul Howard Manship; 1924 — Catalog number S.1936.018

"Sumo Wrestling Toads" by Steve Worthington — Traveling exhibit

A boy and a girl stand on each side of a gazelle. One arm over its back, the other clasping its neck. The gazelle's four feet are together and its head thrown back. — "Children and Gazelle" by Anthony de Francisci; 1937 — Catalog number S.1937.016

A slender woman is lying with her body raised on her right elbow, her head turned toward a gazelle crouched beside her, its head lifted facing hers. — "Reclining Woman with Gazelle" by Walter Rotan; 1937 — Catalog number S.1937.024

A girl reclines with her eyes closed; one arm around a fawn resting at her side, her cheek against its head. Drapery over her arm lies beneath them in scalloped folds. — "Dream" by Joseph Nicolosi; 1937 — Catalog number S.1937.007

Don Quixote's bearded, paunchy companion, Sancho Panza, stands in a relaxed position, leaning against a patient donkey, his hat pushed back on his head. — "Sancho Panza" by C. Paul Jennewein; 1970 — Catalog number S.1971.011

Don Quixote, an emaciated figure in tattered trousers, wearing a breast plate and a cloak thrown back from his shoulder, sits astride a lanky, shaggy Rocinante. The knight holds a broken lance in his right hand, the butt resting on the ground. — "Don Quixote" by Anna Hyatt Huntington; 1947 — Catalog number S.1949.003

Sancho gestures with his right hand, a typical expression of the character. His leather jerkin is belted across his belly and woolen leggings slide down his calves toward feet shod in sandals. A saddle bag hangs on the donkey's right side. — "Sancho Panza" by C. Paul Jennewein; 1970 — Catalog number S.1971.011

Visitor notes

Visitors can explore indoor galleries, a Lowcountry zoo, and expansive botanical gardens throughout the property.

You are encouraged to take photographs of the gardens and artwork for personal use, however, any commercial use, reproduction, or sale, directly or online, of any images is strictly prohibited. Always check Brookgreen Gardens’ official photography guidelines before planning a shoot. For more visit the Photography at Brookgreen Gardens page.

Thanks for reading!

Photography, Fine Art & IllustrationMatt BensonOctober 17, 2022Statues, Sculpture, State Park, Huntington Beach, Brookgreen Gardens