The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-07

Rpotheosis OF America, designed by Prof
Louis Amateis, a naturalized native Of
Italy. will soon be put in place at the
west entrance Of the Capitol, completing
the series OF ornamental bronze entrances
10 the building.
II has taken the government seventy
two years 20 complete this collection.
The new doors will be in keeping with
the artistic merits OF the Rogers doors
at the east entrance, and with the Craw-
ford doors. which mark the entrances
10 the Senate and House wings
The Rogers doors. designed and mod
sled by the American artist. Randolph
Rogers, at Rome in 1855 illustrate scenes
in the career Of Christopher Columbus
They were cast by von Mueller at
Munich. and consists OF panels with high
rellefs and al ornamental border The
subjects on the eight panels are: Column
bus before the Council Of Salamanca;
His departure from the Convent OF La
Rabida: The Audience before Ferdinand
and Isabella; The sailing from Palos on
the First voyage; the Landing at San
Salvador; the First Encounter with the
Indians: the Triumphant Entry into
Barcelona; Columbus in Chains; His
Death
Columbus I'm Bronze.
Above the arch is a bronze portrait
Of Columbus. while around the border
are statuettes OF those who were prom
inent In the achievements OF the dis
coverer. Among those portrayed are Alex
81
bella OF Spain, Charles VIII Of France.
John II Of Portugal. Henry VII OF Eng
land. Cardinal Mendoza, lady Beatrlz
de Bobadilla, and Juan Perez D. Mar
chena, prior OF La Rabida. friends and
patrons Of Columbus; and PinzOn Of the
"Pinta"; Bartholomew Columbus. Ojeda.
Vespucci, Cortez, Balboa. and Pizzarro,
and Irving. Prescott. and other histor-
ians Of the great explorer. Symbols OF
exploration and conquest and four race
types standing for the four big CONT
nents are included in the extreme outside
border.
Details of Crawford Doors.
Crawford not only contributed the
bronze doors 70 the House and Senate.
but designed the elaborate stairways
which lead to the Senate basement. Like
Rogers. his doorways are in panels in
tended to commemorate great events in
history. His doors on the Senate portico
are the best representatives. OF HIS work.
and the panels are Washlngton's Re
Duke 10 Gen. Charles Lee at Mon
mouth. 177S; Death OF Warren at Bunker
Hill. 1775: Hamiton's CALAMITY at York
town; 1871; Washington's Reception at
Trenton when on his way 10 his Inaugur-
alton, 17S9; Laying the Corner Stone OF
the Capitol, 1873. Two panels az the bot
tom Of the door contain anegories OF
War and Peace.
The paintings in the dome OF the Cap
itol represent the apotheosis Of Wash
ington. In the allegory Washington is
seen seated on a cloudlike base with
heroic figures representing Freedom, on
the right. and Victory. on the left. while
completing the circle are thirteen female
figures representing the thirteen original
States, holding aloft a banner inscribed:
'E Pluribus Uuum.
The border OF the canopy represents
an allegory Of the revolution. The main
figures represent the fall OF Tyranny, in
which Freedom with her eagle is seen
putting 20 rout the forces Of War.
Tyranny. Priest-craft, Discord. Anger.
and Revenge Then follow from right to
left a series of groups representing Agri-
culture. Mechanics, Commerce. Marine
Arts, Sciences. and History.
Details of the New Doors.
Prof Amateis, in working out his
apotheosis of America. has brought the
artistic intent OF the series up to date.
The transom Of his bronze doors is a
panel representing America seated in
chariot drawn by lions, typical OF
strength, led by a child. signifying the
superiority Of the intellectual over brute
force. Following the chariot are figures
representing the scholar, architecture,
literature. painting. music. sculpture,
mining. commerce, and industry
On one side Of the transom panel is a
statuette OF Thomas Jefferson, and on
the other one of Benjamin Franklin.
The medallion at the four corners Of this
panel represent Peabody. founder OF ed
vocational institutions; Emerson. philoso-
pher and thinker; Horace Mann. educa-
tor; and Johns Hopkins. merchant and
philanthropist
In the eight panels, four on each side
OF the doors proper. are scenes depicting
Jurisprudence. science. art. mining. agri-
culture, iron, and electricity. engineering.
and naval architecture. and commerce.
On the sides OF each panel are statuettes
OF famous Americans, and at the corners
OF the panels are medallions Ct other
Americans who have contributed to their
country's fame
Jurisprudence Tops All.
Jurisprudence is represented on the top
panel Of the left side Of the door by
a scene showing a meeting OF the Su-
preme Court OF the United States. pre-
sided over by Chief Justice Marshall as
it was composed when It decided the
famous case of Marbury VS.. Madison
This case having settled the supremacy
OF the judicial over executive power. the
artist took II to be the highest expression
OF jurisprudence. A bust Of Washington
IS shown over the chair of the Chief
Justice. The statuettes represent Mad
isOn writer OF the Constitution and
Daniel Webster. one OF its chief expo-
nents. Around It ere medallions Of Rufus
Choate Chief Justice fancy. and Patrick
Henry.
In the science panel is a group OF the
worlds greatest scientific workers. from
the Egyptian astronomer. Hipparchus.
inventor OF the planiscope, down 10 Oar
win. At the sides are figures OF Oliver
Woleott Gibbs. Americas greatest chem
ist, and Joseph Henry, the physicist