Library of Congress Doors: Writing, (sculpture).

Library of Congress Doors: Writing, (sculpture).

Adams, Herbert, 1858-1945, sculptor.

Warner, Olin Levi, 1844-1896, sculptor.

Pelz, Paul J., architect.

Smithmeyer, John L., 1832-1908, architect.

Casey, Edward Pearce, 1864-1940, architect.

Smithmeyer & Pelz, architectural firm.

Jno. Williams, Inc., founder.

Library of Congress Doors: Writing, (sculpture).

Writing, (sculpture).

Library of Congress Doors: Written History, (sculpture).

Written History, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Doors: approx. H. 14 ft. W. 7 1/2 ft.

JNO WILLIAMS - FOUNDRY - N.Y. / BEGUN BY OLIN L. WARNER WHO DIED MDCCCXCVI/COMPLETED BY HERBERT ADAMS / TRUTH / RESEARCH Founder's mark appears.

One of three sets of double doors topped with a tympanum located at the front entrance to the library. The significance of writing is expressed in the reliefs that appear in the tympanum and on the double doors located on the entrance to the right. Both of the double doors feature full-length draped female figures. One represents Truth and the other represents Research. Truth holds a mirror and a serpent, and Research holds a torch. The tympanum features a mother sitting in the center instructing her two children. Included in the tympanum are various figures, an Egyptian scribe, a Jewish patriarch, a Jesuit with a cross, and a Greek with a lyre, all from literary cultures.

Figure group -- Family -- Mother & Child

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Literature

Allegory -- Quality -- Truth

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Education

Ethnic -- Greek

Ethnic -- Hebrew

Ethnic -- Egyptian

Occupation -- Education -- Teacher

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

Administered by United States Capitol, Architect of the Capitol, Washington, District of Columbia

Located Library of Congress, 10 1st Street, S.E., Main Building, front entrance, Washington, District of Columbia 20540

These doors were begun by Olin Levi Warner, and after Warner's death were finished by Herbert Adams.

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. 72-73.

Gurney, George, "Olin Levi Warner (1844-1896): A Catalogue Raisonne of his Sculpture and Graphic Works," Ph.D., University of Delaware, 1978, pg. 886-908, 914.

Small, Herbert, "The Library of Congress: its architecture and decoration," New York: Norton, 1982, pg. 43-44.

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. 1.25.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D. C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D. C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, A-24.

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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