Flickr - USCapitol - Apotheosis of Washington - Close up of George Washington

In the Apotheosis of Washington in the eye of the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol artist Constantino Brumidi depicted George Washington rising to the heavens in glory, flanked by female figures representing Liberty and Victory/Fame. A rainbow arches at his feet, and thirteen maidens symbolizing the original states flank the three central figures. (The word "apotheosis" in the title means literally the raising of a person to the rank of a god, or the glorification of a person as an ideal; George Washington was honored as a national icon in the 19th century.


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