My far away photo ( 180 feet to the top) (I-Phone photo taken while we were in the Rotunda of our Capitol). Notice the painting in the top and the scenes that are etched in stone just below the windows. My research of the two areas are in the next photos. The second area is the last quote in this post.
Credit for the next several pictures is: ‘ ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL’
Up close is the Apotheosis of George Washington in purple, a royal color, with a rainbow arch at his feet, partial view war- with sword.
George Washington is flanked by Goddess Victoria (draped in green , using a horn) at his left.
Goddess of Liberty is to his right and wears a red Phrygian cap- symbolizing emancipation …
Their are then 13 maidens with a star above their head surrounding these 3 (Washington, Liberty & Victory) symbolizing the 13 colonies of the United States at the time of the painting; some of the 13 are facing backwards because of those who ceded from the union.
Above George Washington’s head, upside down banner is: E. PLURIBUS UNUM,
OUT OF MANY, ONE.
From my eyes to your eyes: This one picture shows; LIBERTY, GEORGE WASHINGTON,VICTORY AND WAR.
We surely are being blessed.
Of the 6 National Concepts in the next circle, the maiden just below George Washington with a sword is WAR.
APOTHEOSIS is :
THE GLORIFICATION OF A SUBJECT TO DIVINE LEVEL & SUPERNATURAL POWER.
OUT OF MANY, ONE
National Concept AGRICULTURE.
National Concepts MECHANICS.
National Concept COMMERCE.
National Concept SCIENCE.
National Concept MARINE.
National Concept WAR.
In the center of the Rotunda Dome is called OCULUS meaning BULLS EYE.
At the base of the windows high above the floor encircling the inside of the dome, is an eight (8) foot tall panoramic fresco (see along the bottom of the first picture in this post). Created from 1877 to 1953 by three different artists, it depicts a chronology of major events in American history beginning with Columbus and ending with the Wright Brothers.