Italy and the US Capitol
A symbol of American democracy, the US Capitol (top two photos) bears the imprint of true Italian talent. Between 1855 and 1870, Italian artist, Constantino Brumidi (bottom left photo) decorated its interior dome (center photos), corridors, and the President’s Room. Brumidi’s most famous work remains the Capitol Rotunda, whose canopy fresco was unveiled in January 1866. He submitted his design and negotiated his commission for the dome painting in 1862, while the Capitol was serving as a hospital for wounded soldiers. When his commission was approved in early 1863 he began working on his cartoons while battles raged until the end of the year. In late 1864, the canopy was installed and Brumidi was able to start painting the nearly 5,000 square foot concave surface. The war had still not ended. Right in front of the Capitol building, another example of the great bonds between Italy and the US is represented by the Peace Monument (bottom right photo). Constructed in 1877-1878 to honor the men who lost their lives in naval service during the Civil War, the 44-foot-high monument was sculpted by Franklin Simmons, who carved it in his study in Rome from Carrara marble. The architectural part of the monument was made in Rome by the Bonanni Brothers of Carrara.
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