The national Republican., 1867-01-28
Il 4epnbtitam.
b. National Republican,
rIRG THE CAPITOL.
We going TO get done disfigurinl

4, ssag from experience, cease this
giving mp me walls Of the Capitol to be dis
figured by pretenders in art and call in the
recognized talent OF the country to give us
something Of real valuef II would perhaps
do very little good for us to enter solemn
protest against the course heretofore pur-
sued in decorating the interior Of this noble
building, and yet we have more than once
felt like doing II. Our people are very
naturally proud Of this noble building.
They view its exterior with admiration, for
as a piece Of architecture it is not only
grand and imposing, but beautiful in all its
outlines. Harmony and good taste every
where greets the eye most hypercitically. Go
into the interior and there you will see Just
the opposite. There everything in the way
Of decoration seems to have been done loosely
and in the very worst taste. In short, the
numerous attempts that have been made to
employ art to decorate its walls have been so
many lamentable failures. This was SO ap-
parent to the Government a few years ago
that an art commission, composed Of four
OF our leading artists, Mr.. Kensett being one
OF the number, was employed to examine
into the subject and devise some plan to be
adopted in fnaure. These gentlemen spent
several months in Washington, at their own
expense, examined the subject thoroughly,
and made an elaborate and very sensible
report showing what an amount Of money
had been squandered uselessly, and making
suggestions, which, had they been followed,
would have saved the nation hundreds Of
thousands Of dollars. But that report went
the way Of all waste paper, and nothing has
been heard OF IL since. IL would indeed be
of some interest to know Just ut this time
how many members Of Congress had ever
turned over its leaves.
Washington is not the place where little
jobbery is done. Congress is not generally
asked to throw small bones to hungry dogs
Of big Dimensions, especially when our over
generous Uncle has his pockets so full Of
money as to tempt people with longing tenn
peraments. We feel safe then in saying that
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars have been
more than wasted on fresco and other deco
rations, many Of which are placed in posi-
tions where their effect, even il they were
good, is entirely lost for want Of light. Others
are Of such q strange and unintelligible
character as to require q savant from Hin
dostan to interpret them. The Hindoos
knowledge ofthe subject they represent, how
ever, would afford us very little satisfaction,
since the fact remains that they only disfgure
the walls they are painted on. 1t was never
quite clear to us what advantage there was
to be gained by the profusion of gilt and fres-
co work laid on the underground walls" Of
the Capitol, unless indeed IL was to show how
nearly we could initiate fashionable New
Yorkrestaurant. Whoever has control Of this
matter may regard IL simply as question Of
taste, and hence differ with US as to what con-
stitutes correct ideas in art. They undoubt-
edly find beauty in what seems to us only
Disagreement and daubing. II they did not
they would certainly cease to waste money
in decorating dark walls. It is the peoples
taste we have to deal with, and the peoples
pocket we have to consult. The taste OF the
people for what is real in art has wonderfully
improved under the influence of our best
artists, who have placed their works before
them as subjects Of study.
This fresco seems to have become remark.
ably ambitious in the Capitol. Having done
its work below stairs, it now mounts to the
very dome. Here we have frosco SO con-
fused as to bewilder US, SO singular is the ex-
preston it gives to strange things. And all
done by Brumidi May the Greeks preserve
us, butit would be interesting to know at what
cost this extravagant allegory was produced.
Curious thoughts invade our mind while
gazing upward at this last grand display Of
decoration on the dome. And we have more
than once had q lurking suspicion that some
vagabond satirist stood behind the great
painter pointing lance at our taste. The
people OF this country have been told a great
many things about their want of taste by
foreigners, who are always ready to instruct
us and improve our criticism. Perhaps we
stand in some need Of this; still it is hardly
fair to try and make the world believe that
our taste in matters Of art is very much like
French milliners love for fnery. However
much we may be distracted by this gorgeous
allegory, it is some relief to know that it IL
not the work Of an American. Yes, it may
be said, and said truly, that we lacked the
courage to employ one Of our own artists
and called in foreigner to do the job for us.
And he did it.
Washington is represented in a position
we are sure not even his most intimate friends
ever saw him in when alive Ambitious
young artists are in the habit Of taking great
liberties with the general appearance Of Wash
ington. One gives his cOuntenance q very
severe expression a second makes him oil
smiles; q third has him in meditative mood
Nor do they seem to agree as to what sort oil
costume he looked best in; so to get over the
question most young beginners dress him uI
in clothes neither Greek nor Roman tailor
ever thought of making. But Brumidi has
gone ahead Of them all. He has arched the
dome Of our beautiful Capitol with an allie
CORY, in which Washington is presented, sur
rounded by q bevy Of Canterbury girls, all
got up in brilliant costumes. Washington
Is evidently not well pleased at finding him,
self in such company, and looks down at us
with severe frown. Then there is what
seems TO be an overgrown Western woman,
with big stick, driving wild turkey out
Of her poultry-yard. In another part Of this
allegory there is one gentleman who looks
like q Smithsonian professor, and an.
other gentleman who bears strong
resemblance to friend of ours, very
learned in Indian dialects, hobnobbing with
aperson we are told was intended to represent
Jefferson. II is some relief TO ones feelings
TO know that you cannot look up long al
this allegory without danger Of dislocating
the neck. Indeed. it is no uncommon thing
to see kind husband supporting the head
of his wife or daughter as she gazes upward
ut this remarkable work of art. But we have
got it, and paid for II, and now the question
Tecurs, what shall we do with it? 1T wont
do to let it remain where it is" says a mem.