Deconstructing the Capitol

(Continued from Part 1 & Part 2) We are on the East Side.  “Progress of Civilization” greats the Sun.  Crawford’s America ubiquitously leads the process, eclipsing the Sun,  towards “Apothesis of Democracy”, calling it the day.

“Progress of Civilization”

Cast-iron dome has a facelift appointment to iron its some 1300 “wrinkles”.

Rotunda

Its grandeur carries a hefty inflation prorated price tag, which a set of 1828  sandstone Corinthians couldn’t afford.

Columns

New regiment of marble clones has been hired in 1958.  It took a “maecenas” to find “La Garde Impériale” a noble resting ground at National Arboretum in 1984.

Columns

At the end of the same day, not much, besides their approximate “birthday”,  has identified bronze lamps decorating Capitol’s East: 1876.

Capitol East Lights

Capitol East Lights

Capitol East Lights

So, here it is, # 6 on the “America’s Favorite Architecture” chart, deconstructed  into our favorite pieces.

East Capitol Stairs

Imagine a dialog:

- You have frequently seen these steps. 

- Then how many are there? 

- How many? I don't know

- Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is just my point ...

(Sherlock Holmes, "A Scandal in Bohemia")

For better viewing click on a photograph or go to The United States Capitol photo album
© photoartel.com photography services in DC Metro Area: product, headshots, children, family, events.

Capitol. Part 2

Continuation. Part 1

Two major events contributed to Capitol's appealing appearance: completion of Parisian Pantheon in 1790

( This photograph is a property of Cities Of Light )

...and Jefferson's disillusionment with local architecture talents, as otherwise in might have looked something like this:

Design for the U.S. Capitol, "An Elevation for a Capitol", by James Diamond, was one  of a dozen submitted for the 1792 contest. ( This one is under Wikimedia Commons )

To be continued.  For better viewing click on a photograph or go to The United States Capitol photo album © photoartel.com photography services in DC Metro Area: product, headshots, children, family, events.

Capitol. Part 1

The United States Capitol. Unique building location, round the corner from the National Gallery,  makes it possible for an artist to depict it from  a variety of different  places and distances. Which brings to mind recent exhibit of Katsushika Hokusai’s  "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" at Sackler.   We'd like to share a small part of our collection: different seasons,  time of the day, cameras, lenses

To be contunued in Part 2 For better viewing click on a photograph or  go to The United States Capitol photo album © photoartel.com photography services in DC Metro Area: product, headshots, children, family, events.