The Minnesota State Capitol building is one of the purest expressions of the Beaux-Arts style in America. Designed by Minnesota native Cass Gilbert, who also designed St. Louis’s own Art Museum and Central Library, the State Capitol synthesizes the Italian Renaissance with ancient Roman models. By the way, the reason it’s spelled with an “O”…
Tag: Capitol Buildings
Rotunda, Missouri State Capitol
I have always been impressed with the rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol, based off of such august domes as St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and other early modern churches such as the Invalides in Paris or San Ignatius, also in Rome. The Pantheon, and its American proxy, the original dome of the U.S. Capitol,…
Former Illinois Capitol Building, Vandalia
The Vandalia State Capitol building is one of the more problematic buildings I have visited. Yes, it was indeed the capitol building for a few years, but it was not the first on the site, but the fourth. The building you see here was built by the residents of Vandalia in a failed attempt to…
First Missouri State Capitol
Looks like there’s a new visitors’ center attached to the First Capitol. Interesting to imagine how state politics would have been different if the capital hadn’t been moved to Jefferson City.
Missouri State Capitol Dome
Based off of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Missouri Capitol is an amazing structure. The interior continues the same Beaux-Arts theme. The dome is similar to many Italian?domes, such as the painted dome of San Ignazio.
Missouri Capitol
Last summer I was in Jefferson City for a wedding. I had a chance before the wedding to take in downtown, which is a strange mix on High Street of well-preserved buildings, while on the other side of the Capitol it is a wasteland of parking lots. The Capitol itself is one of the most…