Architecture is the theme for the Art Talk Series in 2021
Last month I posted Architecture of San Xavier del Bac Mission and talked about this beautiful church in Arizona and its Colonial Mission architecture.
This month I am going across the country to a place that is very dear to my heart, Washington DC, and to the stunning US Capitol.
Neoclassical Architecture
Neoclassical architecture is revival or new interest in classical (Greek or Roman) architecture in the 18th and 19th centuries. It followed and was directly opposite the flamboyance of Rococo and Baroque periods.
Time period
Neoclassical architecture started to emerge in Europe the 1750s and spread to Latin America and the newly forming country of the United States of America. The United States declared it's independence on July 4, 1776. In 1792 there was a competition that "would award $500 and a city lot to whoever produced "the most approved plan" for the U.S. Capitol. In 1793 construction for the capitol began on William Thornton's design which won for its "grandeur, simplicity and convenience."
Early Capitol Architects
William Thornton is the original architect who won the contest for design of the capitol. He was born in 1759 in the British West Indies and studied medicine in Scotland. He moved to America in 1787. He lived in Washington DC from 1794 was the head of the Patent Office until his death in 1828.
CM Harris said of William Thornton,
"His knowledge of the ancient Roman writers allowed him to perceive the form and purpose, the political implications in Jefferson's neoclassical concept of a modern capitol....[His plan] translated the Constitution into architectural form, creating a unique American building type.
US Constitution Article 1 Section 1 says
"All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representative."
Thornton's design for the capitol has a north wing is for the senate and the south wing is for the house of representatives brining the constitution into architectural form. So cool!
Benjamin Latrobe was born in Leeds, England and studied architecture and engineering. He emigrated to America in 1796. He designed the Bank of Pennsylvania, the first neoclassical building in the United States. He was hired by Thomas Jefferson to work on the capitol's south wing, which he did from 1803-1807. He then started reconstructing the interior of the north wing. Both wings were damaged in 1814 by British troops. He oversaw the restoration of the capitol after the destruction from the War of 1812.
Charles Bulfinch replaced Benjamin Latrobe and continued to restore the capitol which reopened in 1819. He designed the domed center buildings (1818-1826) and planned the grounds and original terraces. He was born in Boston, Mass. in 1763 and graduated from Harvard. He was a famous architect in New England and after his work on the capitol he went home to Boston where he died in 1844.
Characteristics of Neoclassical architecture
According to Britannica.com
Neoclassical architecture is characterized by grandeur of scale, simplicity of geometric forms, Greek—especially Doric (see order)—or Roman detail, dramatic use of columns, and a preference for blank walls.7
Grand Scale
The US capitol is 175,170 square feet and a floor area of 16.5 acres.
Grand indeed! My home was 1,400 square feet.
Simplicity of geometric forms
As you can see below the capital building has very clean lines and shapes.
Greek or Roman detail
The Corinthian columns that Benjamin Latrobe added have tobacco leaves which symbolize the nation's wealth and corn cobs which symbolized the country's bounty on them.
Dramatic use of columns
You can see here there is definitely a dramatic use of columns.
a preference for blank walls
While it has been a while since I have been inside I do remember clean, clear walls and great statues all over the capital. There are two statues from every state representing the state and its people.
I would like to end with this quote from the Architect of the Capitol,
The U.S. Capitol's designs, derived from ancient Greece and Rome, evoke the ideals that guided the nation's founders as they framed their new republic.
It has been so fun to research and learn more about neoclassical architecture and the U.S. Capitol. I hope you enjoyed it too.
Note: The pictures of the capitol where taken by me through the years. I lived in DC from 2001-2007 and visited every year from 2007-2019 and the capitol is one of my favorite buildings in DC so I go to it often when in DC.
Other examples of Neoclassical architecture in DC
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| US Supreme Court | Lincoln Memorial |
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| United State Archives | National Gallery of Art | Jefferson Memorial |
White House
Sources:
1-Britannica.com- Neoclassical Architecture
2-Lumenlearning- neoclassisism
3- Architect of the Capitol-Building history
4-Architect of the Capitol- William Thornton
5-Architect of the Capitol-Benjamin Henry Latrobe
6-Architect of the Capitol-Charles Bulfinch
8-Smithsonianmag.com
9-Archives- Constitution Transcript
10-National Park Servie- Capitol
11-Architect of the Capitol-Neoclassical
12-Britanica.com-United States Capitol
Art Talk Series Highlights
Art Talk: 2020 Posts
Art Talk: 2019 Posts
Art Talk: 2018 Posts
I agree with @storiesoferne, the US Capitol's design does represent grandeur, authority, and power. The amount of detail, design, and complex planning are amazing. It is interesting to learn about its history and the inspiration behind its design as well as the existence of numerous Neoclassical style buildings in DC.
So cool, that you've seen and visited the Capitol throughout many years while you were living there and even afterward.
Thanks @discoveringarni so glad you enjoyed learning the history and design too. As I was developing this post I was deciding between highlighting a single building (Capitol) or the (neoclassical) style since there are so many neoclassical buildings in DC.
It was a great decision you made to add the other neoclassical buildings in DC, glad you did. We look forward to reading more of your beautiful content in the future.
That just reminded me that I have some pictures of me at the capitol that I wanted to put in the post too. I just added them. :)
Those are beautiful photos you've added 🙂 Great you had these.
Hello @sjarvie5, we are excited to congratulate you for making it to the top feature! Continue to inspire us with your excellent content!
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Thank you so much. Happy to be a part of this interesting and active community.
The U.S. Capitol is probably one, if not the best example of Neoclassical architecture in the world. Its design style is the favorite representation of various national governments because it truly symbolizes grandeur, authority, and power. I had my own memorable share of wonderful experiences with this iconic building that I'm happy to exhibit my photo here. Thank you so much @sjarvie5 for featuring this remarkable American landmark in this community!
Thank you @storiesoferne and great picture of you at the capitol. It really is so awesome and while I didn't say it in my post I love how it is so much a part of the national mall, one side the Washington Monument and the other end is the US capitol.
I just remembered that it was the backdrop to my graduation ceremony from the George Washington University. I will have to see if I can find those pictures. It was truly amazing
With pleasure @sjarvie5! Indeed, the U.S. Capitol is just one of the many significant attractions within the national mall that are worth exploring. I'm excited to experience more of your Art Talk series about architecture so, see you in your next awesome publication!
The massive scale and details are worth appreciating, the pioneers of this style as you mentioned lead a great path in it's advancement. I was always confused on the usage of plenty of columns and columns but now it feels they are the main attraction of this architectural style and that's amusing.
Wonderful post, keep them coming.
Thank for you comment @praditya. Now that you mention pioneers I there would be another whole post on how difficult it would have been to build this structure in the late 1700's in a new formed country. Pioneers indeed!
Seeing the US capital would be pretty cool. The building looks awesome. I didn't know that it was a neo classical design but that makes sense though. I'm not familiar with all the styles but have taken an interest in architecture and am starting to learn a bit about them.
Have fun on your trip.
Hello @leaky20. Thanks it is really one of my favorite buildings. I made a note at the end of the post saying that the pictures were from trips through the years. I am excited to get back to DC in the coming months.
That is really great you have taken and interest in architecture. You do wonderful trips and will see some awesome buildings!
The Capitol building has always been one of my very favorites! Such classic beauty.
Yes, new classical! :) It really is wonderful.
That's a good dip into history! Neo-classical architecture have some magic in it, all those classical columns and triangular pediments makes it more aesthetically appealing.
Hope you have a lovely weekend:)
Thank you very much. I think the magic for me is in the structure and stability of the buildings. I feel so secure and certain and I am sure that was one of things the designer had in mind, they wanted people to feel confident!
Exactly!
Beautiful and informative post! One thing I really enjoyed while traveling the US was the fact that some state capitols look like smaller versions of the one in DC. I love the way American values of democracy are embodied in the architecture of the representative buildings. Cant wait for your next post!
Thanks I like that too. This is the Utah State Capitol and it has that same neoclassical design and looks a lot like the US capitol.
So beautiful! Did you go inside? What does it look like from inside? It's so nice to have these photos without no, to near no people in them.
Hi Kristy, yes I have been inside a few times. It is really great. I could only find the one of the statues I put in the post. I will have to go inside again next time I go to DC.
I made a note on the post saying that the pictures were taken through the years when I lived in and visited DC.
I wasn't sure if it was a building you're allowed to go in and wander around. I did see the photo of the statues, I'm wondering what the dome part looks like. We really don't have buildings like that here at all. They'd be beautiful to see!!
Yes, they have tours of the building and they tell about the history and you get to walk around and see different parts including the rotunda and where congress meets. It's great.
That's so good. There is nothing historical about our Capitol building.
Oh and did you know that you can now chat on Hive? there is a little talk bubble up in top right corner.
Oh that's great! Yes I see that now.
I think it invited you.
If you did, I didn't see it but I have joined now, thank you 🙂