The Apotheosis of Washington

Today is the 200th anniversary of Constantino
Brumidi's birth. Brumidi was the Italian-born
fresco artist whose ornate Renaissance- and
Pompeian-style murals decorate much of the
United States Capitol. Brumidi spent 25 years,
from 1854 to 1879, laboring inside America's
great symbol of democracy.

Today, Congress will stage a Brumidi celebration
in the Capitol Rotunda, underneath
"The Apotheosis of Washington," the grand mural,
considered Brumidi's masterpiece, that covers
the canopy of the dome.

Please see Sheryl Gay Stolberg's article and
Robert Caplin's photographs at NewYorkTimes.com.












Photo credit: Robert Caplin
NewYorkTimes.com