A most revealing side light on the Cornwallis-Washington mural on the
south wall of the House of Representatives Chamber, earlier referred to,
is brought forth by an anonymous letter written on December 14,
[Illustration: SPRING
One of four pleasing groups on the ceiling of the Old House Agriculture
Committee Room is this Brumidi conception of spring. The four seasons on
this ceiling make up Brumidi’s first fresco in the Capitol
Building--painted in 1855. What appear to be sculptured figures and
attached moldings surrounding the center panel in this picture are
actually painted decorative borders on a flat surface. It was probably
the tender hues of spring on this ceiling that led Congressman Curtis to
say in 1860, “What, sir, can be more beautiful than the fresco work in
the room of the Agriculture Committee?”]
1857, to Captain Montgomery C. Meigs, Superintendent of Construction,
two days before the House met in its new “Hall of the House of
Representatives.” The letter protesting this contract follows:
“Dear Sir:
It will be news to you, I dare say, to learn that there is a party
organizing to effect your removal from the Superintendent of the
Capitol extension and I take leave to say to you that the wall
painting, ‘The Surrender of Cornwallis,’ is considered
inappropriate and the execution execrable, in view of all of which
I suggest to you to have the painting wiped out.
Your friend and supporter,