Wisconsin State Capitol Senate Chamber Madison Wisconsin
Date:
1914
Notes:
Richard Murray, 1977.
"Heroes in the fight for beauty: the muralists of the Hudson County Court House," Jersey City: Jersey City Museum, 1986, pg. 95.
Wisconsin State Capitol Guide and History, 29th ed., State of Wisconsin (booklet), pg. 43-44.
Image on file.
Wisconsin State Capitol Guide and History, 29th ed., State of Wisconsin (booklet).
The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.
Summary:
Three mural paintings representing "The Marriage of the Atlantic and Pacific" symbolize the opening of the Panama Canal. In the center panel America enthroned blesses the union of the two oceans. The Atlantic Ocean is a figure of Neptune placing a ring on the finger of a goddess holding a steering oar to represent the Pacific Ocean. Below, two children support a shield with the U.S. coat of arms. In the side panels, Peace and Commerce welcome the nations of the world to the ceremony. Peace welcomes France holding a painter's pallet, Germany holding a book of science, and Great Britain. Commerce welcomes Japan and China, and Polynesia who wears a garland and is seated in a boat with a gilded figure head.