#Architecturalphotography: A Vision of Hope and Justice: The House of Congress, The United States Capitol

Within the House of Congress, also known as the United States Capitol building in Washington DC, you will see a great deal of #care was taken to create something #beautiful, grand, and unique. Though the original building was created in the year 1800 this central dome was later added in 1863 after many reconstructions.

This #photo I took featuring The Apotheosis of Washington at the center of the dome was completed in 1865 by Greek-Italian artist Constantino Brumidi. It was painted at the end of the civil war and has a great deal of symbolism incorporated as well.

"Apotheosis" refers to raising up like a god, indeed this painting seems to depict George Washington seated in the heavens like a God. He is seated next to two Goddesses called the Goddess of Liberty and the #Goddess of Victory who are followed by 13 maidens that encircle the top of the dome. Each of the maidens have a #star above their head to represent the 13 original colonies.

Below George Washington, a scene of #war is shown where "Freedom" also known as "Colombia" is seen battling what is said to represent tyranny and kingly #power. Interestingly Colombia is also the name given to "The Spirit of the Frontier" which was personified as a woman and used to promote the idea of Manifest Destiny.

I took the first image but this closer look at The Apotheosis of Washington was provided by wikipedia along with some of the information about the symbolic breakdown. If you are interested you can find a more in depth description of all of the symbolism if you click on this link... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Apotheosis_of_Washington

Personally I find this whole depiction a little unsettling given the position and role of #women during this time period, the representation of a former president being shown in a God-like position, as well as glorifying war right in the political center of the United States. In addition, Colombia, Spirit of the Frontier was used as a campaign mascot to encourage expansion and colonization across the North American continent through the idea of manifest destiny. As a result, thousands of #indigenous people were slaughtered and those who survived were stripped of their #rights and freedoms.

Very little of this is taught to the American people and it seems some are still unaware of it. Thankfully human rights movements like #NODAPL #WaterISLife #IdleNoMore #WeAreMaunaKea and #KeyStone are finally starting to shed light on the injustices indigenous peoples have suffered through but more work is necessary to bring true #justice for all.

I certainly believe in #freedom, #life, #liberty and the pursuit of #happiness but not if that "happiness" is built on the backs of slaves, or on the bones of innocent lives. It is important to keep things in perspective and not be blinded by romanticized ideals, but instead be willing to see the whole #truth, even the mistakes.

Just as every story has more than one perspective, we must be willing to consider different views if we wish to see the bigger picture. There is beauty and hope in this just as there is suffering and injustice. When we find the #compassion to see more perspectives we grow as individuals, we grow as a people, and we grow as a human race.

Thank you.

The first image was my entry for #architecturalphotography for #photography #contests by @juliank but then it became a bit more. I hope to hear more perspectives on this and I hope I don't offend anyone. Having Native American blood as well as a descendant of a lineage with ancestors that owned slaves and believed in #manifest destiny I have made a large effort to be compassionate and forgive the ignorance of those who came before me while still honoring the suffering of those who were wronged with deep compassion.

#Life is so #complex but the more we open ourselves to #understand opposing views, the more we can help to heal the wrongs of the past. Thank you for reading.

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