Celebrating the American Dream and Our Cultural Heritage
- Securing proper recognition for the contributions to America of Constantino Brumidi, “Artist of the Capitol”
Overview
In the 110th Congress, the AHEPA family worked in cooperation with Italian American organizations to award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal for Constantino Brumidi, the “Artist of the Capitol.”
Brumidi was a great American citizen of Greek and Italian descent. His frescoes and murals can be found throughout the U.S. Capitol. Brumidi’s creations include his masterpiece, the allegorical fresco The Apotheosis of Washington, in the canopy of the Rotunda. He also painted the extensive frescoes in the Brumidi Corridors, which many believe to be the first true frescoes to be painted in this country. Brumidi's last years were spent painting the historic scenes in the Rotunda frieze.
The consummate American, Brumidi is reported to have remarked: "My one ambition and my daily prayer is that I may live long enough to make beautiful the Capitol of the one country on earth in which there is liberty."
Status
We anticipate a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda for Constantino Brumidi in 2010.