United States Senate Commission on Art

United States Senate Commission on Art. The United States Senate Commission on Art is a statutory body responsible for the acquisition, preservation, and display of artworks and historical objects within the United States Capitol and Senate office buildings. Established by an act of the United States Congress in 1978, it serves as the official curator for the Senate's artistic and historical collections. The Commission advises on matters of aesthetic and historical importance, ensuring the architectural and artistic integrity of the Senate's spaces.

History and establishment

The Commission was formally created by the passage of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act in 1978, a period of renewed interest in the preservation of national heritage following the United States Bicentennial. Its establishment was championed by influential senators including Howard H. Baker Jr. and Robert C. Byrd, who recognized the need for a dedicated body to oversee the Senate's growing collection of portraits, sculptures, and historical artifacts. Prior to its formation, curatorial duties were handled in an ad-hoc manner by the Architect of the Capitol and the Senate Sergeant at Arms. The creation of the Commission mirrored similar efforts in the United States House of Representatives, which had established its own Office of the Historian and Office of Art and Archives. Key early initiatives included the formal cataloging of the National Statuary Hall Collection statues representing each state and the restoration of significant frescoes in the Capitol Rotunda.

Membership and structure

The Commission's membership is defined by statute and includes some of the most senior officials in the Senate. It is co-chaired by the Senate Majority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader, ensuring bipartisan oversight. Other statutory members include the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, which has jurisdiction over the Capitol grounds, and the Senate Sergeant at Arms. The day-to-day operations and curatorial expertise are provided by the Senate Curator, a professional staff position that manages the Office of Senate Curator. This office employs historians, registrars, and conservators who work under the Commission's guidance. The structure ensures that artistic decisions are informed by both political leadership and professional museum standards, with final approvals resting with the Commission's senatorial members.

Responsibilities and functions

The Commission's primary mandate is the stewardship of the Senate's artistic legacy. This includes authorizing the acquisition of new works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, and historical documents, often through donation or commission. It is responsible for the preservation and conservation of existing items in the collection, which range from 19th-century portraits of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster to contemporary media. The Commission approves the placement and display of all artworks within the Capitol Visitor Center, the Dirksen Senate Office Building, and other Senate facilities. It also oversees special projects like the Senate Vice Presidential Bust Collection and the creation of official portraits for Presidents pro tempore. Furthermore, it advises on the design and historical accuracy of commemorative plaques and memorials within the Senate's jurisdiction.

Notable projects and acquisitions

Throughout its history, the Commission has supervised many significant artistic projects. A major ongoing endeavor is the Senate Leadership Portrait Collection, which commissions portraits of each Senate party leader. It oversees the Senate Reception Room restoration, home to Constantino Brumidi's famed frescoes. Notable acquisitions include the portrait of Senator Margaret Chase Smith and the bust of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The Commission also managed the addition of statues to the National Statuary Hall Collection, such as those depicting Rosa Parks from Michigan and Po'pay from New Mexico. It has commissioned contemporary works for the Capitol Power Plant tunnel and authorized the conservation of the historic Ohio Clock outside the Senate chamber.

Relationship with other entities

The Commission works closely with several key institutions to fulfill its mission. It maintains a critical partnership with the Architect of the Capitol, the agency responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Capitol complex. It coordinates with the United States House of Representatives Office of Art and Archives on joint projects affecting the entire Capitol, such as exhibitions in the Capitol Visitor Center. For conservation science and expertise, it often collaborates with the Smithsonian Institution, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. On matters of historical research and authentication, it liaises with the Senate Historical Office. The Commission also interacts with private donors, artists' estates like that of C. Paul Jennewein, and foundations such as the United States Capitol Historical Society to facilitate gifts and commissions.