The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-04
Italian Painters Best
Work Is Found in
the FreScOeS and
FriezeS of the RO-
tunda of the Capitol.
By JOSEPHINE eILLEHWA1ER TleHE.


Michael Angelo Of the Capitol" His
magnificent frescoes. more especially the
canopy and the frieze in the rotunda,
are viewed each year with admiration and
wonder by the thousands Of tourists and
art lovers who visit the National Capt.
toL
The rotunda guide explains TO the at
tentive sightseer that Brumidi was an
Italian; that he received $4,000 for paint
ing the canopy, and that, unfortunately.
he died before finishing the frieze.
And that Is about the sum total Of the
known history Of the man who practically
transformed the interior OF the Capitol.
The bare, staring walls blossomed into
volupuous beauty under the magic Of his
art; many Of the stateliest rooms Of the
building bear the touch Of his ureless
brush. and testify to his consummate
skill as mural decorator.
Life story Like Romance.
It is a strange fact that the encyclo-
pedias. art biographies. and gazetteers DO
not contain the name of Constantine
Brumidi-that he is excluded. as it were.
from their halls OF fame-and vet the
life story Of this artist whom the gods
SO favored with artistic cunning reads
like a romance
Constantine Brumidi was born in Rome
June %, 1905. His mother was an Ital-
ian and his father Greek When a very
small child he evinced a taste for draw
ing, and a teacher was procured for
him.
How swiftly and well he pursued HIS
studies is evidenced by the fact that he
was admitted as a student OF painting
and architecture at the Academia Of
San Lucia when only thirteen years OF
age, Here he applied himself persever-
ingly. surrounded by an atmosphere Of
art and with examples Of the noblest
works OF the great masters constantly
before his eyes. II was while at this
academy that he began the study OF the
art Of fresco; an art by the way, in its
highest elements almost forgotten lie
also commenced the study of sculpture
under Canova. and his plastic work at
tracted the attention of Thorvaldsen.
AttainS Fame Early.
The art Of fresco was the most attrac-
tive Of the different branches that young
Brumidi had delved into. and he entered
with avidity into perfectng himself along
this line. AT thirty he had painted fres-
Goes in several palaces Of his native
land, and at thlrty-two came under the
notice Of Pope Gregory VI. who com
missioned him, with three other we'll
known Roman artists-Podesta, Coghaetti
and Capalti-to restore the Raphael fres-
Goes in the loggia OF the Vatican. This
was indeed an honor for the young
artist
After the accession Of Plus * to the
papal throne Brumidi painted that
prelate's portrait for the Vatican gallery.
and so highly did Pope Plus appreciate
the work that he commissioned the artist
10 paint replica for himself. and pre-
sented Brumidi with gold medal
Soon after Brumidi became a captain
in the national guards but continued his
work upon the Vatican walls In lSiS.
when Rossi was assassinated and Plus
* fed 20 Gaeta, Brumidi was or
dered 20 execute commands that would
turn tho guns Of his company upon the
oppressed. This he positively refused TO
do and at midnight his house was sur
rounded by cordons Of soldiers the artist
captain dragged from his bed and thrown
into prison. Here he was confined for
thirteen months. At the end Of that time.
through the Intervention Of the Pope, who
had resumed his throne, Brumidi was
released with the understanding that he
would at once and forever leave Italy
Comes TO America.
In 1919 Brumidi then a man Of forty
four. bade farewell 70 his native land and
took passage for America. Arriving in
New York, he had little difficulty in his
work gaining recognition. His work of
the most Importance in New York is
the altar piece, The Crucifxion." in St
Stephens Church. 1t is the largest paint
ing in oils in tho United States.
From New York he went to Mexico.
where he executed the picture of the
Holy Trinity in the cathedral in Mexico
City Upon the completion Of this work
he journeyed to Philadelphia. and there
painted 'he notable pictures OF SIS. Peter
and Paul in the Philadelphia Cathedral.
On his way TO Mexico. Brumidi had
stopped for a time in Washington. and
SO charmed was he with the city that he
decided to make it his permanent resi-
dence. In 1854, noting the adaptation OF
the walls Of the Capitol to fresco. he
asked permission TO put on them some OF
his work. Gen. Meade. then in charge Of
the building, was not greatly inclined 10
grant the request. but persistent appu- |
cation on the part Of Brumidi who
appreciated the tremendous possibilities.
finally succeeded, and the Italian artist |
entered the Capitol-for life.
Example of Mural Work.
His first work was the decoration OF
the Agriculture Committee room. the |
central figure Of the design being Gin |
cinnatus at the Plough" This work IS \
considered to be the finest example OF
mural decoration in America. The fresco |
called forth such admiration that Bru-
midi was successfully engaged 10 dec
crate the Presidents room. the state re-
ception room, the Senate corridors. and /
other committee rooms
The vaulted corridors in the lower
floor he skillfully ornamental in ara
besque, after the manner Of the Vatican
loggia, in flowers. fruits, birds and ami.
nal figures. The Introduction OF animal
life into wall decoration was a departure
in America and aroused some protest
but Brumidi continued the painting OF
them, securing the knowledge that the
artists OF the Renaissance. among them
Raphael. laid ell the kingdoms Of nature
under contribution. To-day these corri-