Apotheosis of Democracy

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Apotheosis of Democracy
Capitol pediment Washington DC 2007.jpg
Artist Paul Wayland Bartlett
Year 1916 (1916)
Type Marble
Dimensions 18 m (60 ft)
Location Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates 38°53′20.6556″N 77°0′30.88″W / 38.889071000°N 77.0085778°W / 38.889071000; -77.0085778Coordinates: 38°53′20.6556″N 77°0′30.88″W / 38.889071000°N 77.0085778°W / 38.889071000; -77.0085778
Owner Architect of the Capitol

Apotheosis of Democracy is a public artwork by American sculptor Paul Wayland Bartlett, located on the United States Capitol House of Representatives portico's east front in Washington, D.C., United States. This sculpture was surveyed in 1993 as part of the Smithsonian's Save Outdoor Sculpture! program.[1]

Description[edit]

The pediment's center focal point is the figure of allegorical Peace, which is dressed in armor and is depicted protecting Genius. Leaning against Peace's proper right leg, Genius holds a torch that symbolizes immortality in his proper right hand. Peace stands in front of an olive tree. To Peace's proper left is a figure of Agriculture, and next to that figure is a reaper with his assistant, a farmer with his bull, a putti carrying grapes, and a mother with her child who plays with a ram. To the proper right of Peace is Industry, and next to him is a printmaker, an ironworker, a founder, a factory girl and a fisherman. The corners of the pediment have waves, which represent the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The pediment is made of Georgia marble.[1]

Condition[edit]

In 1993 Apotheosis of Democracy was surveyed by art conservators from the Save Outdoor Sculpture! program and was described as "well maintained."[1]

Acquisition, creation and installation[edit]

Capitol House of Rep Washington.jpg

The original pediment was commissioned to Erastus Dow Palmer in 1857, however, the work was never completed due to lack of funding. Another competition was held in 1908 and Bartlett was chosen.[1] The figures were modeled in Paris, France and Washington between the years of 1911-1914 and carved by the Piccirilli Brothers from 1914-1916. The pediment was dedicated on August 2, 1916.[2]

Related works[edit]

In March, 1963 plaster maquettes of the pediment were given to the U.S. Government by Bartlett's stepdaughter, Armistead Peter III. The works are on display in the Capitol underground hallway that heads to the Rayburn House Office Building.[1]

As of 1995 a Study for Apotheosis of Democracy by Bartlett was in the collection of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. A bronze sculpture (54 x 54.5 x 18) on a wooden base, it depicts Peace and Genius. It was purchased in 1959 and as of 1995 it was surveyed as needing urgent treatment.[1]

See also[edit]

Further reading[edit]

  • Allen, William C. History of the United States Capitol: A Chronicle of Design, Construction, and Politics. Architect of the Capitol, 2001. ISBN 0-16-050830-4
  • Somma, Thomas P. Paul Wayland Bartlett and The Apotheosis of democracy, 1908-1916 : the pediment for the House wing of the United States Capitol. University of Delaware Press, 1995. ISBN 0-87413-528-1
  • Wood, James M. Washington Sculpture. Johns Hopkins Press, 2008. ISBN 0-8018-8810-7

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Smithsonian (1993). "Apotheosis of Democracy, (sculpture).". Save Outdoor Sculpture. Smithsonian. Retrieved 15 Feb 2011. 
  2. ^ Architect of the Capitol. "Apotheosis of Democracy". Capitol Campus. Architect of the Capitol. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 15 Feb 2011. 
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