WASHINGTON, D.C., Vereinigte Staaten – Detail des skulpturalen Giebels, der das National Archives Building an der Constitution Avenue ziert. Diese neoklassizistische Struktur wurde 1935 eröffnet und beherbergt die Rotunde für die Charters of Freedom, in der die Verfassung der Vereinigten Staaten, die Unabhängigkeitserklärung und die Bill of Rights ausgestellt sind.
5860 x 3907 px | 49,6 x 33,1 cm | 19,5 x 13 inches | 300dpi
Aufnahmedatum:
13. Januar 2015
Ort:
Federal Triangle, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Weitere Informationen:
Photograph by David Coleman. The pediment sculptures of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. represent a significant example of American neoclassical architectural ornamentation. Designed by John Russell Pope and completed in 1935, the building's grand façade on Constitution Avenue features this elaborate pediment as a focal point of its classical revival style. The sculptural group, created by James Earle Fraser, depicts allegorical figures representing the themes of heritage, guardianship of records, and their significance to democracy. At the center of the pediment is a female figure symbolizing "Heritage, " flanked by figures representing "The Past" and "The Future." These central figures are surrounded by additional sculptures depicting various aspects of record-keeping, history, and government. The careful detailing and symbolism in these sculptures reflect the building's purpose as the repository for the nation's most important historical documents. The pediment's design complements the building's overall neoclassical aesthetic, which includes Corinthian columns and a symmetrical façade. This architectural style was chosen to convey the gravity and permanence of the building's function as the keeper of America's founding documents. The National Archives Building's location on Constitution Avenue places it within the Federal Triangle, a complex of important government buildings. Its proximity to other significant landmarks like the National Mall underscores its importance in the landscape of American governance and history. Inside, the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom houses the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, making the building not just an architectural marvel but a shrine to American democracy.