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Apotheosis of Democracy

Apotheosis of Democracy is a public artwork by American sculptor Paul Wayland Bartlett that decorates the east portico pediment of the House of Representatives chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. The original pediment was commissioned in 1857 but never completed because of a lack of funding. A new competition was held in 1908, and Bartlett won it. The figures were modeled in Paris and Washington between 1911 and 1914, then carved by the Piccirilli Brothers from 1914 to 1916. Installed on Georgia marble, the composition centers on an allegorical figure of peace, surrounded by symbols of agriculture, industry, and the oceans.

Apotheosis of Democracy pediment with a central standing figure and flanking sculpted groups on the U.S. Capitol
The Apotheosis of Democracy pediment above the House entrance on the U.S. Capitol\'s east front.
December 2011 © · Public domain
White marble pediment sculpture from Apotheosis of Democracy showing a crowned female figure with a torch beside smaller classical figures.
A detail of Apotheosis of Democracy shows the central marble figures on the U.S. Capitol’s House wing pediment.
May 2007 © Photo: Andreas Praefcke · CC BY 3.0
Apotheosis of Democracy pediment relief showing carved figures with livestock, a child carrying grapes, and a seated woman under a blue sky.
Detail of the Apotheosis of Democracy marble pediment relief, with carved figures and animals visible against the sky.
April 2014 © · Public domain
Marble relief from Apotheosis of Democracy showing a child holding grapes beside a reclining draped woman.
Detail of Apotheosis of Democracy, with a child and a reclining draped woman in a marble relief.
1912 © · No restrictions

Identification

TitleApotheosis of Democracy
Study typeStudy
TypePediment sculpture
Study titleApotheosis of Democracy

Creator

Artist nationalityAmerican
Study artistBartlett
ArtistPaul Wayland Bartlett
CarversPiccirilli Brothers

Historical context

Original commissionCommissioned from Erastus Dow Palmer in 1857 for the east pediment of the House of Representatives portico at the U.S. Capitol
Competition for later workHeld in 1908; Bartlett won
Original commission statusNever completed because of lack of funding

History and restoration

Study condition in 1995Needed urgent treatment
Plaster maquettes donationDonated to the U.S. Government in March 1963 by Bartlett's stepdaughter, Armistead Peter III
Condition in 1993Well maintained
Opening date2 August 1916
Carving period1914–1916
Modeling locationParis and Washington, D.C.
Modeling period1911–1914
Contract dateFebruary 1909

Discovery and provenance

Survey programSmithsonian's Save Outdoor Sculpture! program
Study purchase year1959
Survey date1993

Physical characteristics

MaterialGeorgia marble
Study baseWooden base
Study dimensions54 x 54.5 x 18
Study materialBronze

Appearance

Background elementOlive tree beside Peace
Corner decorationWaves
Right-side figuresIndustry, an engraver, an ironworker, a founder, a factory girl, and a fisherman
Left-side figuresAgriculture, a reaper with his assistant, a farmer with his bull, putti carrying grapes, and a mother with her child playing with a ram
Supporting figureGenius, leaning against Peace and holding a torch
Central figureAllegorical figure of Peace, armored

Iconography and meaning

Corner wave meaningRepresent the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
Study subjectsPeace and Genius
Torch symbolImmortality

Location and ownership

Study collection in 1995Westmoreland Museum of American Art
Current display location of maquettesCapitol underground hallway leading to the Rayburn House Office Building

Other

Related bibliographyAllen, William C., History of the United States Capitol: A Chronicle of Design, Construction, and Politics (Architect of the Capitol, 2001)
Related bibliographySomma, 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)
Related bibliographyWood, James M., Washington Sculpture (Johns Hopkins Press, 2008)