CONSTANTINO BRUMIDI
is Topic of First In-person AMHS Event in Nearly Two Years
CONSTANTINO BRUMIDI
And for the first time, we had an A MHS event co-hosted by the Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center (CISC), represented by Francesco Isgrò, and the Robert A Facchina Italian American Museum of Washing ton, D.C. (IA MDC), represented by Liz DiGregorio and Anna Isgrò. Steve Livengood is the Director of Public Programs at the United States Capitol Historical Societ y, a private not-for-profit org anization char tered by the United States Congress. He is also Chief V isitor Guide to the U.S. Capitol Historical Societ y (USCHS) who gives the VIP tours. So you could say we got a par tial vir tual tour by the guide who normally gives tours to VIPs and big donors.
Steven Livengood
Steve has worked in various capacities in the political and polic y circles in Washing ton, culminating with his work for the U.S. Capitol Historical Societ y since 1994. He has won numerous awards and been cited for his work in promoting the interpretation of the Capitol building by professional cit y guides. The Embassy of Italy nominated him Cavaliere d’Italia for his effor ts in promoting the life and legac y of Constantino Brumidi. It was said that the U.S. Capitol was Brumidi’s canvas.
He mixed classical Italian st yles with American symbols for paintings on some of the ceilings. For what are known as the Brumidi Corridors on the first f loor of the Senate wing, he was inspired by motifs that Raphael employed in the Vatican. We got a glimpse of some of these mag nificent parts of the Capitol from Steve’s excellent PowerPoint presentation, which he revised during the lockdown and debuted at our meeting. The beaut y and splendor of Brumidi’s creations are astounding. Brumidi was born in Rome of a Greek father and Italian mother. He came to the United States in 1852 and became a citizen in 1857. You could say his life and work exemplified the lives of millions of immigrants who came to this countr y to pursue the American dream.
He used the technique of painting on f reshly laid lime plaster which is closely associated with Renaissance painting. “ The Apotheosis of George Washing ton” was Brumidi’s most ambitious work and it was meant to depict American exceptionalism af ter the Civil War. It depic ts George Washing ton rising to the heavens in glory. The work was completed in 1865 af ter only 11 months. It is suspended 180 feet above the Rotunda f loor. T he figures are up to 15 feet tall and were inspired by classical and Renaissance images, especially those of Raphael. In ar t, the ter m Apotheosis (f rom the Greek word for God, “ theos”) refers to the treatment of any subjec t in a g rand or exalted manner (such as the Roman emperors). Besides this iconic masterpiece, Brumidi also created the first tribute to an Af rican American in the Capitol with the fig ure of Crispus At tuck s, who is the focal point of his f resco of the Boston Massacre.
Steve recalled that Joe Grano, whom many in the audience remember fondly, was instrumental in get ting the Cong ressional Gold Medal awarded posthumously to Brumidi in July 2012. T he Gold Medal was in recog nition of Brumidi’s contributions as a desig ner of murals in the U. S. Capitol, including those in the Senate Reception Room, the President ’s Room, the Senate Appropriations Commit tee Rooms and the Brumidi Cor ridors. The USCHS has hosted Steve’s wonder ful webinars during the pandemic, such as U.S. Capitol Ghost Stories ( he says this is one of his most popular), Creating Capitol Hill, and Frederick Law Olmsted and U.S. Capitol Grounds. Before Steve’s talk, Lynn Sorbara, drawing on her background at NIH overseeing laboratories during Covid research, gave a brief explanation of the steps we were taking to make the event a safe one for ever ybody (limit of 50 at tendees and showing of vaccination cards).
Then af ter grace was said by Father dall’A gnese, we enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Fontina Grille, followed by desser ts made by Lynn and Elise DiClemente. Many thanks to all who helped set up and ser ve the lunch, including Elisa DiClemente, Michele LaVerghet ta, Sarah Scot t and Lynn Sorbara. And thanks also to Lena Lupica, Frank Bonsiero and Chris Renneker for helping to make the event such a success. (Note: A copy of “The Apotheosis of George Washington” and a copy of the Brumidi Congressional Gold Medal are on display in the new Italian American Museum of Washington, D.C.)
AMHS President Ray LaVerghetta (2nd from left) and his wife Michele welcomed USCHS Education Specialist Tom Marabello and Roberto Severino (right).