Evening star., 1928-04-15

probably thousands of those who live
in the city itself, know little or moth
ing about these pictures. refer to the
paintings by Brumidi
Constantine Brumidi was born in
Rome, Italy. July 26, 1906 studied in
the Academy Of Fine Arts and the
Academia de San Luca. Rome. model
ing under Thorwaldsen and painting
under Baron Cammucini.
Brumidi was a captain in the Ma
tional Guard. and under Pope Plus TX
was commissioned TO restore the Loggia
of Raphael, in the Vatican. During
some bread riots in Rome BTumidi
refused to fire on the people. and for
this act of military disobedience was
thrown into prison. where he was con-
fined for IA months without any charge
being preferred against him. Without
trial, through the intercession Of Plus
TX. he was released from prison and
upon the advice Of the Pope left for
America as land of exile.
He went to Mexico by way OF -Eer
York, where important commissions
awaited him. But his personal affairs
did not materialiZe in Mexico as he
had hoped. and, hearing of the solid
construction of our National CAPITOL
and its extension as a building well
adapted to real fresco decorations, ne
decided to come to the United States.
He landed in New York City IN 1882
and two years later obtained his natu-
raliZation papers in Washington, but.
true to the experience Of genius geneE-
ally. he did not find things as easy IN
Washington as he had hoped. He look
ed the Capitol over and asked the War
Department. functioning under the di-
rection of Congress, to give him con-
tract to decorate some OF the walls in
the Capitol. none of which had ever
been thus attempted. But he was datly
refused.
He then requested permission to paint
some of the walls. in order that he
might show what he could do. The re-
quest was granted. and for nearly two
years Brumidi painted free Of charge in
the agricultural committee room OF the
House of Representatives, in the south
wing of the building. In 1855 he tend
cred his work. the first specimen OF real
fresco in America, and Congress was so
delighted with it that he was given
contract that carried with il at least
living wage
The work he did in the agricultural
room is on the ceiling and on the pan
els beneath: the large lower panels on
the side walls being untouched
The idea carried out in this room.
naturally, is that Of agriculture. Near
the door that opens from the hall Is q
picture of CincinnatuS leaving the plow
at the call of his country. and. on the
opposite wall. is panel honored With
painting of Gen Putnam. who did the
same service for his country during the
Revolutionary War. On the sides are
small pictures of Washington and JEFF
ferSon. also a small panel of men har-
veSting wheat with SickleS. and. on the
oppoSide side a painting OF reaping
machine which though looking antique
to us today, was the last word in har-
yeSting UP TO that time. The upper CELL
ing is adorned with cherubS and human
figures in scenes symbolic Of harvest
and plenty.
The only other work OF Brumidi in
the south wing OF the building is 8 mas
terpiece representing the surrender os
CORVALLIS TO Washington az Yorktown.
= large panel on the lefthand side Of
the Speakers desk in the House OF Rep
reSentativeS. The private Staircases lead
ing to the hall Of the House and the
Senate are the work Of Brumidi.
The larger part of Brumidi'S work is
in the Senate or the north end ot the
Capitol. He painted the room now &C.
cupied by the District Of Columbia com
mittee. There are four gorgeous pictures
carrying out the general ideal Of
raphy." Science" and ''Telegrapay." In
each OF the four corners are the Three
GraceS." beautiful hfe-Sized female fiS-
ures in different positions
The visitor 70 the Capitol will be
amazed at the vast amount Of work
Brunlidi did but il must be remembered
that he had working under him q corps
of artists and they filled in much of the
detail, especially in the west and north
corridors on the ground door of the
Senate chamber, which he marked ous
with his own pencil.
RrlImidi painted the Presidents
room. Nearly one hundred figures are
used in the decoration OF this room
Each Of the four corners or the ceissng
contains picture. In the center az tbs
room is \ table. where the President
signs bills, Over II hangs a magntncent
crystal chandelier, around the top q.
which Rruuili painted beautiful As
ureS.
He then painted The American Esvo-
lution, has masterpiece. III a nom cN
The west side of the ground aoor Of thc
Senate, now occupied by the appropri-
ationS committee. Nearly GOO figures
are used in this decoration and tbs
freScoing Is IN gold The walls contain
the following pictures; "WaShinStcn a.
Valley Forge" Battle Of I<NinSt0n
Death Of Gen. Wooster" "Stornlinr II
Stony Point" ana the Boston Mas
Saere"
There is temporary wood partition
tI'at diNiSSeS thiS nom, making part ~
It into a private once. but over the
top ~ the partition visitor 70 thg
outer nom can Scc some of the nsra,.
groups ana figures on the ceiling.
Inc reception poam 70 the Senate
private looeN Was painted hy Ryun,id}
also the sergeant ~at arms room heaa-
ms OF nom this reception rocgn. On
the ceiling IN the latter room is A eis
picture OF human nguseS repreSenting
the tour geographical sections og IN,
Vo1nuy ana thetr leading industries
When YOU visit the Capitol you wH
probably enter ey way OF me ycEunaa
As YOU stand and look up INTO tha&
lseaShtneSnt dome YOU wall see AZ ths
very top, about 500 geet above -cle
'Saa, tne "Nnwl" or, as II il otherwise
csled, the WHISPERING gallery" ~ tpeg
III diameter Into this howl. With
'.spcsh0alan patience, Rruns,di pAtneesS
Indep%ndenee" IA grcUpS os human
lHuiVS repfeSenthsg the thirteen cNlc-
NsN WNNNN = ftst1tg8kS NNAH1
IAN be distinctly leaa en- the f0l1sS 81
ne eAnner 50 tar above NouF head
Afeand the side wan cf the rctunaa Is
me celebrated fTlese repEeSenting ths
features OF American his
CRY, Beginning with les discovery b.
NlamoslS Only small part og thk>
licae VAS done Ny Rrtmldi
The SslStent 0f RrlmidiS work Is ml-
lleSAed eX certain features that aEv
characteristic. The volume OF ms woEk
> pFediglcuS lie painted In the Capl-
0 ies aAont 80 wears, the date OF hls
seAth heing February 19 1sse
arMMlll had a SON who Also NAx 4