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Apotheosis means elevation to divine status, or
deification. George Washington has been elevated to
a god. The United States capitol dome interior has
an overhead painting in the "heavens."
Figures in the overhead painting - an allegorical
glorification of the first President - were drawn as
much a 15 feet high to seem life-size from the
Rotunda floor 180 feet below. The "Apotheosis
of Washington" covers 4,664 square feet of
concave surface. Constantino Brumidi worked the
fresco in 1865. Gods
and mortals mingle in the Dome's fresco heavens.
These ancient gods are not part of Christianity.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and we are commanded
by Him to worship only one god, Almighty God, our
Father in Heaven.
One Nation Under
the gods
Click on each area for close-ups.
Forms in the inner circle represent the 13 original states and the Union;
Washington sits between Liberty and laureled Victory. Outer groups - clock-wise
from sword-wielding Freedom - symbolize arts and sciences, marine, commerce,
mechanics, and agriculture.
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