| Apotheosis of Democracy | |
|---|---|
 | |
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| Artist | Paul Wayland Bartlett |
| Year | 1916 (1916) |
| Type | Marble |
| Dimensions | 18 m (60 ft) |
| Location | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Coordinates | 38°53′20.6556″N77°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 sculptorPaul Wayland Bartlett, located on theUnited States Capitol House of Representatives portico's east front inWashington, D.C.,United States. This sculpture was surveyed in 1993 as part of theSmithsonian'sSave Outdoor Sculpture! program.[1]
Thepediment's center focal point is the figure of allegoricalPeace, which is dressed in armor and is depicted protectingGenius. Leaning against Peace's proper right leg, Genius holds a torch that symbolizesimmortality in his proper right hand. Peace stands in front of anolive tree. To Peace's proper left is a figure ofAgriculture, and next to that figure is areaper with his assistant, a farmer with hisbull, aputti carryinggrapes, and a mother with her child who plays with aram. To the proper right of Peace is Industry, and next to him is aprintmaker, anironworker, a founder, a factory girl and afisherman. The corners of the pediment have waves, which represent theAtlantic andPacific oceans. The pediment is made ofGeorgia marble.[1]
In 1993Apotheosis of Democracy was surveyed by art conservators from the Save Outdoor Sculpture! program and was described as "well maintained."[1]
The original pediment was commissioned toErastus 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]
Barlett signed the contract for the commission in February, 1909, and in January 1915 was described as being "engaged continuously since that time" in the task, amounting to six years of work.[2] The figures were modeled inParis, France and Washington in the years from 1911 to 1914, and were carved by thePiccirilli Brothers from 1914 to 1916. The pediment was dedicated on August 2, 1916.[3]
In March, 1963 plastermaquettes 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 theRayburn House Office Building.[1]
As of 1995 aStudy for Apotheosis of Democracy by Bartlett was in the collection of theWestmoreland 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]
