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Roman Art Architecture Analysis

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The architectural style of the Thomas Jefferson building of the United States Library of Congress, designed by Paul Pelz and John Smithmeyer, is a spectacular take on the Beaux-Arts style of architecture. Finished in 1897, the Thomas Jefferson building was the first of the three buildings of the Library of Congress to be built and is the most striking of the three. The interior of the building is just as intricately and innovatively designed as the exterior. Initially containing four interior courtyards (two have since been turned into additional bookshelves), the rooms inside are filled with many pieces of American made artwork and sculpture commissioned specifically for the building. Visitors to the United States Library of Congress can turn …show more content…

A classical roman influence and a aristocratic gentleman influence. The Roman influence on the building can be seen in the architectural design of the building. Here we can see the return to ancient Roman culture that was such a strong part of the Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts architectural style. This Roman influence visible in the outward appearance of this building and many others in the capital area point to the classical roman influence that we see in the form our constitutional republic at its founding and …show more content…

Much of the building has gold, silver, and bronze decor creating a lavish environment much like palaces and estates in Europe where English Aristocrats lived. The artwork inside the building was also commissioned from American artists specifically for the spaces that they are in, a luxury which was limited to the aristocratic class in Europe. This influence shows that, just like in the creation of our federal government, while America as an ideal seeks to create a republic of equality there are still aristocratic influences and class-hierarchies present in the society.
Overall when looking at the Thomas Jefferson building of the Library of Congress you can see how classical roman republicanism and the aristocratic lifestyle has influenced its design. The Beaux-Arts style of architecture which we can see throughout the facade and the interior of the building shows a strong connection to ancient roman culture which is also present throughout our constitution and its founding. In addition, the artwork and grandeur of the interior decoration shows a connection to english aristocratic life, representing another important influence on the founding of the United

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