Learning of the World, (sculpture).

Learning of the World, (sculpture).

Piccirilli, Attilio, 1866-1945, sculptor.

Piccirilli, Furio, 1868-1949, carver.

Learning of the World, (sculpture).

North Pediment, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: Bethel white granite; Base: Bethel white granite.

Sculpture: approx. H. 8 ft. x W. 40 ft.; Base: approx. H. 2 ft. x W. 50 ft.

(On tablet held by female figure, incised lettering:) SAPIENTIA

The pediment on the north side of the building depicts an allegorical female figure symbolizing Wisdom flanked by allegorical figures symbolizing learning and enlightenment through the ages. Wisdom is represented by a female figure, dressed in heavy robes and a crown, standing on a low pedestal in the center of the pediment. She holds a tablet in front of her which is engraved with SAPIENTIA, the Latin word for Wisdom.

On the far proper right side of Wisdom, are a reclining male and female figure representing the fine arts of Poetry, Music, and Design. To their proper left stands a female holding a child in her proper right arm. She symbolizes the move towards wisdom and enlightenment to secure her child's future. With her proper left hand she touches the proper right shoulder of her husband, who symbolizes Labor. He follows a female figure representing Agriculture who leans on a rake and steps up with one foot on the center pedestal.

On the far proper left of the central female figure, are a reclining male and female figure representing the sciences of Mathematics and Philosophy. To their proper right stand a group of three figures led by a female representing Electricity, who steps up with her proper right foot on the central pedestal. Behind her stands a male engineer with his proper left arm around the shoulder of a male mechanic.

Allegory -- Quality -- Prudence

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Poetry

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Music

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Art

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Agriculture

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Science

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Mathematics

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Philosophy

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Engineering

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Industry

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Technology

Outdoor Sculpture -- Wisconsin -- Madison

Administered by State of Wisconsin, Bureau of Building Management, Capitol, 4 East State Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53702-0001

Located Wisconsin State Capitol, North pediment, Madison, Wisconsin

For related reading see Frances W. Hurst's "Wisconsin State Capitol Guide and History," 1991, and "A Common Joy," 1991; Josef Vincent Lombardo's "Attilio Piccirilli: Life of an American Sculptor," New York: Pitman Publishing, 1944; and Albert Teneyck Gardner's "American Sculpture: a Catalogue of the Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art," Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society, 1965.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Wisconsin survey, 1993.

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.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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