Library of Congress Annex Doors, (sculpture)

Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery

Object Details

sculptor
Lawrie, Lee Oskar 1877-1963
carver
Donnelly, John 1867-1947
architectural firm
Pierson & Wilson
founder
Flour City Ornamental Ironworks
Subject
Sequoyah
Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985
Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 78.
Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey, 1994.
Michael Richman, SAAM curatorial assistant, 1967-1969.
Goode, James M., "Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation's Capitol," Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, no. 1.30.
Image on file.
Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, A-29.
Goode, James M., "Washington Sculpture: A Cultural History of Outdoor Sculpture in the Nation's Capitol," Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008, no. 1.30.
(Center set of doors, below each figure:) HERMES/ITZAMA/ODIN/QUETZALCOATL/OGMA/SEQUOYAH (Left and right sets of doors, below each figure:) THOTH/TS'ANG CHIEH/NABU/BRAHMA/CADMUS/TAMURATH unsigned
The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.
Summary
Three sets of double doors installed at the west entrance to the building adorned with six relief figures. Three relief figures appear vertically down the length of each door. The six figures which appear on the center set of doors are figures who have made a contribution to the development of written communication. The figures are: Hermes, the Greek god who served as messenger; Odin, originator of the Viking alphabet and mythical god of war; Ogma, who performed the same alphabetical task for the Irish; Itzama, chief god of the Mayans; Quetzalcoatl, fair-haired god of the Aztecs; and Sequoyah, American Indian. The six figures which appear on the doors to the left and right of the center doors are figures who have contributed to the history of the written word in various cultures. The same six figures appear on both the left and right sets of doors. The figures are: Thoth, Egyptian god and conveyor of speech; Ts'ang Chieh, Chinese patron saint of pictographic letters; Nabu Sumero, Akkadian god; Brahma, supreme god of the east Indian Trinity; Cadmus of Greece, who planted the dragon teeth from which sprang armed men; and Tamurath, a cultural hero of Persian antiquity.
Culture
Indian
Irish
1938
Control number
IAS 77006550
Type
Sculptures-Door
Sculptures-Outdoor Sculpture
Sculptures
Medium
Doors: bronze
Owner/Location
Administered by United States Capitol Architect of the Capitol Washington District of Columbia
Located Library of Congress Annex 2nd Street & Independence Avenue, S.E., Adams Building West entrance Washington District of Columbia 20540
Title
Contributors to the Written Word Doors, (sculpture)
Art Inventories Catalog, Smithsonian American Art Museums
Topic
Occupation--Communication Arts
Mythology--Classical--Hermes
Portrait male
Ethnic--Cherokee
Mythology--Nordic--Odin
Ethnic
Mythology--Other--Mexican
Mythology--Egyptian--Thoth
Mythology--Classical--Cadmus
Record ID
siris_ari_22445
Metadata Usage (text)
Usage conditions apply