in the United States Capitol
[Illustration: BRUMIDI’S FRESCOED CANOPY IN THE EYE OF THE DOME
The Dome Canopy as here pictured was photographed from the exact center
of the Rotunda, 180 feet below. Unavoidably, the balcony around the Eye
of the Dome hides the outer portion of all six allegorical groups. In
order to make individual “close-ups” of these groups our photographer
went to the top balcony of the Dome at night, carrying his own lighting
equipment. His six kodachromes, each made at a distance of 65 feet, the
diameter of the Dome at this point, follow:
(S. D. Wyeth’s six-page booklet, printed in 1866, gives the “Description
of Brumidi’s Allegorical Painting within the Canopy of the Rotunda.”
Since Brumidi finished this canopy in 1865 we may reasonably suppose
that Wyeth’s interpretations came directly from the artist. For this
reason Wyeth’s own legends are quoted on the following six pages.)]
[Illustration: AGRICULTURE
“CERES, the Goddess of Harvests and the Fields, with the Horn of Plenty,
is in the center. _Young America_, with Liberty Cap, of red, the _bonnet
rouge_ of France, having under his control a pair of vigorous horses
hitched to an American Reaper, in conscious pride is exhibiting his
skill. The background is a luxuriant mass of prolific vegetation.
_Flora_ is gathering flowers, and, hovering near, is a cherub. Beyond is
_Pomona_ with a basket of fruit.”