Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Repository

The Great Hallway in the Thomas Jefferson Building :
The Library of Congress : Capitol Hill
(Click on image to enlarge)

If America had a Sistine Chapel, the Library of Congress would be it. The LOC is made up of three buildings: the Jefferson, the Adams, and the Madison. The grandest of the three is the Jefferson. Built in 1870, the Jefferson Building features sweeping marble staircases, Italian-influenced carvings and sculpture, Renaissance art, frescoes, and mosaics that are breathtaking.

Art over doorways : Library of Congress
(Click image to enlarge)

To learn more about this national treasure, visit the LOC's website. Wikipedia also has some good information here. Over the next few days, I'll be featuring additional pictures of the world's largest book and media repository.

Hallway : Library of Congress
(Click image to enlarge)


Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 02/09

10 comments:

crocrodyl said...

Wow! All these interiors are really breathtaking! Stunning!!

Anonymous said...

It truly is a breathtaking sight.

marley said...

Oh wow! All the photos are brilliant but the first photo is my favourite - the details, all the levels, the depth of field.

Actually, I think it is one of my favourite photos of yours of all time. Love it.

Bob Crowe said...

Wow, that looks very Italian. Washington = Rome? Must check it out.

Thanks for your recent comments. We're traveling and there isn't Internet service where we get to so I won't be able to leave comments.

Vanessa Bates said...

What a beautiful place! Thank you for sharing it

Janet Kincaid said...

M_M: Welcome. The LOC is perhaps the most beautiful building in Washington. Definitely worth seeing if you ever travel this way!


Abe: It really is.


Marley: Wow! Thanks. I'm glad you like this series, especially the first one. I like how it turned out, too.


Bob: There is quite a bit of Italian influence in this building, but all sculpted and painted by American sculptors and artists. Sadly, I wonder if our country possesses the artisans now to create such a treasure. Somehow, I doubt it.


Nessabates: My pleasure. Drop by tomorrow. I'll be featuring several more photos from the LOC.

Virginia said...

THESE ARE GORGEOUS GIRL! Whew!

Janet Kincaid said...

VJ: Thanks! You'd have a field day in this building!

Maya said...

wow! That ceiling is almost fancier than the Sistine chapel! Great shots.

Janet Kincaid said...

Maya: This building is AMAZING! It has to be seen at least once in one's life.