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Plenty to Be Thankful For

The cornucopia, a traditional symbol of the Thanksgiving holiday, appears in a variety of places in the U.S. Capitol including the Rotunda and Brumidi Corridors.
By Sarah Davis | November 20, 2017
        
                  Image
    The lunette "Telegraph" by Brumidi in the now Lyndon B. Johnson Room, S-211.

The fall season is known for cooler weather, leaves changing colors, football, apple picking and pumpkins. With Thanksgiving upon us, I also can't help but think of family, turkey and pie.

Another traditional symbol of the upcoming holiday is the cornucopia. A cornucopia is often used to represent the harvest and fall's abundance. Frequently depicted in classical art, it is a cone-shaped object overflowing with fruits, grains and/or vegetables.

Below are five locations where this "horn of plenty" appears in the U.S. Capitol.

**House Appropriations Committee Room, H-144**

	Image
    \The decorations in this room are by Costantino Brumidi and were the first fresco decorations in the U.S. Capitol. They were painted when the room was occupied by the House Committee on Agriculture Room, so it’s fitting that the cornucopia is part of "The Four Seasons" on the ceiling.
	**U.S. Capitol Rotunda**

	Image
    Agriculture grouping in the \Looking up again, one can spot Ceres, goddess of agriculture, in the "Apotheosis of Washington." She holds a cornucopia as she is handed the reins for horses pulling a reaping machine.
	**Brumidi Corridors**

	Image
    Oil on canvas of \This oil on canvas of "Plenty" by Brumidi was donated to the U.S. Capitol in 1994. It is currently hung near the bronze staircase of the North Corridor named for the artist.
	**Senate Reception Room, S-213**

	Image
    In room S-213, Plenty holds a cornucopia and touches a plow, which is grouped with other agricultural implements."Plenty" appears once more in a ceiling vault on the north end of this room, where she is joined by the other allegorical figures of "War," "Peace" and "Freedom."
	**The President's Room, S-216**

	Image
    The south wall of The President's Room featuring a lunette with a portrait of George Washington.The south wall of this room features a lunette with a portrait of George Washington. His right is flanked by a figure representing Peace and she rests over a cornucopia.The cornucopia is much more than just a decoration for the table, ceiling or wall. It represents our thankfulness for all of the good things in life.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

***Bonus Cornucopia: cover photo is the lunette "Telegraph" by Brumidi in the now Lyndon B. Johnson Room, S-211.***
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Marty S. (not ... (not verified)PermalinkNovember 20, 2017 - 2:41pmNice!
ReplyMichael Lily (... (not verified)PermalinkNovember 22, 2017 - 9:24amAgain thank you for this wonderful trip thru our Capital.
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