Artists and Writers
Constantino Brumidi (c. 1430-1516)
THE MICHELANGELO OF THE
CAPITOL
In a recent gathering of public
officials in Washington, D.C to celebrate the second centennial of
Constantino Brumidi’s birth, Senator Hillary Clinton said that Brumidi
"came to this country to find a better life and, in the greatest
tradition of our nation, made an indelible mark on our history."
Brumidi, who has been called the Michelangelo of the Capitol, has
impacted our lives with his breathtaking artistic accomplishments.
Constantino Brumidi was born on July 26, 1805 in Rome. He later studied at the Italian Academy of Arts in Rome. Apparently because of the occupation of Rome by French forces in 1849 Brumidi immigrated to the United States where he became a citizen in 1852. Brumidi settled in New York City where he supported himself as a portrait painter. As his reputation grew he was engaged to produce more significant works such as the “Crucifixion” and other art at St. Stephen’s Church on East 28th Street. Here he also painted the “Martyrdom of St. Stephen” and the “Assumption of the Virgin.
In 1854 Brumidi travelled to Mexico City to produce the “Holy Trinity” in the Cathedral. On his way back to New York he visted the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. The possibilities for his artistic talent to be expressed on the walls of this majestic building led Brumidi to offer his artistic services. His offer was accepted and by the following year he had begun his work in the Capitol. He devoted a major part of his remaing 25 years to the decoration of the capitol. His works in that building are unsurpassed. Brumidi died on February 19, 1880 at his home at 921 G Street N.W. in Washington.
Constantino Brumidi was born on July 26, 1805 in Rome. He later studied at the Italian Academy of Arts in Rome. Apparently because of the occupation of Rome by French forces in 1849 Brumidi immigrated to the United States where he became a citizen in 1852. Brumidi settled in New York City where he supported himself as a portrait painter. As his reputation grew he was engaged to produce more significant works such as the “Crucifixion” and other art at St. Stephen’s Church on East 28th Street. Here he also painted the “Martyrdom of St. Stephen” and the “Assumption of the Virgin.
In 1854 Brumidi travelled to Mexico City to produce the “Holy Trinity” in the Cathedral. On his way back to New York he visted the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. The possibilities for his artistic talent to be expressed on the walls of this majestic building led Brumidi to offer his artistic services. His offer was accepted and by the following year he had begun his work in the Capitol. He devoted a major part of his remaing 25 years to the decoration of the capitol. His works in that building are unsurpassed. Brumidi died on February 19, 1880 at his home at 921 G Street N.W. in Washington.
Constantino Brumidi has come to be known as the Michaelangelo of the Capitol. He had many talents including being able to simulate three dimensional objects in two dimentional painting. This panel which is one of 19 friezes that encircle the rotunda of the Capitol of the United States in Washington, D. C. is one example.
L
Links:
You
may get more information about Brumidi by visiting
the United States Government Website
also the
United
States Senate Website
See also
List
of known Works of Brumidi
Brumidi's
Washington D.C. Capitol Art
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