Statue of Freedom

Statue of Freedom, also known as *Freedom Triumphant in War and Peace*, is a colossal bronze statue that crowns the dome of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.. Designed by the American sculptor Thomas Crawford, the statue was cast in bronze by Clark Mills's foundry and was hoisted atop the Capitol dome in 1863 during the American Civil War. The figure, a classical allegorical female, stands as a powerful symbol of the nation and is a prominent feature of the Washington, D.C., skyline.

Description

The statue depicts a female figure wearing a helmet adorned with stars and an eagle's head, draped in a toga-like garment secured by a brooch inscribed "U.S." She holds a sheathed sword in her right hand and a laurel wreath and shield bearing the U.S. coat of arms in her left. The statue stands approximately 19.5 feet (5.94 m) tall and weighs about 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg). Its pedestal, designed by the Capitol's architect Thomas U. Walter, adds another 18.5 feet to its overall height above the dome.

History

The commission for the statue originated in 1854 when the Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, then overseeing the Capitol expansion, instructed Crawford to create a design for the dome's summit. Crawford's initial design, featuring a liberty cap, was rejected by Jefferson Davis, who objected to its association with freed slaves. The final modified design was approved in 1856. Crawford completed the full-size plaster model in his studio in Rome but died suddenly in 1857 before seeing the work cast. The model was shipped to the United States in 1858, arriving in Washington, D.C., in 1859.

Symbolism and design

The statue is a complex allegory blending Roman and American iconography. The helmet, composed of a crest of feathers and a head of an eagle, symbolizes the Native American heritage and the strength of the nation. The sword represents the defense of freedom, while the laurel wreath and shield signify the nation's commitment to peace and its readiness for war. The brooch inscribed "U.S." and the shield bearing the arms of the United States explicitly tie the figure to the federal union. The design reflects the neoclassical style prevalent in many federal buildings of the era.

Creation and casting

Following Crawford's death, the task of casting the statue fell to Clark Mills, who operated a foundry in the District of Columbia. The casting process, using the lost-wax method, was a significant technical challenge and was delayed by the outbreak of the American Civil War. The work was finally completed in 1863 under the supervision of U.S. Army officer Montgomery C. Meigs. The bronze was cast in five major sections: the head and shoulders, the torso, and the three segments of the flowing drapery.

Placement and relocation

The statue's sections were hauled up the interior of the Capitol dome and assembled on the cast-iron tholos above the drum. The final piece, the head and shoulders, was bolted into place on December 2, 1863, to a 35-gun salute from Fort McNair. The statue remained in place for over 130 years until 1993, when it was removed by U.S. Army helicopters in a complex operation for extensive restoration. The restoration work, conducted by the Capitol Preservation Commission, took place in the shops of the Newington-based firm Historical Arts & Casting, Inc.. After conservation, it was returned by crane to its perch in 1993, where it remains a central icon of the National Mall and the United States Congress.

Category:1863 sculptures Category:Allegorical sculptures in the United States Category:Bronze sculptures in Washington, D.C. Category:Statues in Washington, D.C. Category:United States Capitol