Two Teams of Horses, fragment of an Advanced Sketch Model for the Apotheosis of Democracy Pediment, House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol Building

Paul Wayland Bartlett, Two Teams of Horses, fragment of an Advanced Sketch Model for the Apotheosis of Democracy Pediment, House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol Building, modeled 1909-1910, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Armistead Peter III, 1958.11.23
Copied Paul Wayland Bartlett, Two Teams of Horses, fragment of an Advanced Sketch Model for the Apotheosis of Democracy Pediment, House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol Building, modeled 1909-1910, bronze, 12 1⁄4 x 21 1⁄2 x 6 5⁄8 in. (31.2 x 54.5 x 16.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Armistead Peter III, 1958.11.23
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Artwork Details

Title
Two Teams of Horses, fragment of an Advanced Sketch Model for the Apotheosis of Democracy Pediment, House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol Building
Artist
Date
modeled 1909-1910
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
12 1⁄4 x 21 1⁄2 x 6 5⁄8 in. (31.2 x 54.5 x 16.7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Armistead Peter III
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — horse
  • Study — sculpture model
Object Number
1958.11.23
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1958.11.23

Artwork Description

In 1909, Paul Wayland Bartlett was selected to design a pediment for the House of Representatives wing of the U.S. Capitol. Two Teams of Horses is a sketch model of one of his earlier designs for the sculpture. The four horses were to flank a chariot at the center of the pediment, in which rode a figure representing Peace. The horses were later rejected, and in the final sculpture the figure of Peaceful Democracy stands over a nude child representing Genius.