Sandstone Pillars from National Capitol is a piece of digital artwork by Joe Paradis which was uploaded on May 29th, 2015.
Sandstone Pillars from National Capitol
The columns were quarried from sandstone near Aquia Creek, Virginia and transported to Washington on a barge. Old identification marks from the... more
by Joe Paradis
Title
Sandstone Pillars from National Capitol
Artist
Joe Paradis
Medium
Digital Art - Artist Print
Description
The columns were quarried from sandstone near Aquia Creek, Virginia and transported to Washington on a barge. Old identification marks from the quarry are still visible on some of the stones.
They were originally built as part of the east portico of the Capitol in 1828, long before the familiar Capitol dome was completed. However, when the dome was completed in 1866 it appeared as if it was not adequately supported by the columns, because the iron dome was significantly larger than the dome that the designer envisioned.
In order to correct this visual illusion an addition to the east side of the Capitol was proposed, finally being constructed in 1958, and the columns were removed.
The columns were finally relocated after 1984 at the National Arboretum and set on a foundation of stones from the steps that were on the east side of the Capitol.
Uploaded
May 29th, 2015
