(Pennsylvania State Capitol Bronze Doors), (sculpture).

(Pennsylvania State Capitol Bronze Doors), (sculpture).

Huston, Joseph M., sculptor.

Barnard, George Grey, 1863-1938, sculptor.

Jahnsen, Otto, sculptor.

Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company, founder.

J. Franklin Whitman and Co., fabricator.

(Pennsylvania State Capitol Bronze Doors), (sculpture).

1904-1905. Dedicated June 1906.

North and south doors: approx. 9 ft. 1 in. x 5 ft. 1 in. x 6 in.; Main doors: approx. 9 ft. 10 in. x 5 ft. 6 in. x 6 in.

(Proper right bottom of main doors:) Designed by Joseph M. Huston Architect./Modeled by Otto H. Jahnsen sculptor/Cast in one piece by./The Henry-Bonnard Bronze Co. New York (Top center:) The Declaration/History/Mining/The Constitution/Education/Agriculture/William Penn signed Founder's mark appears.

Three sets of double doors, located on north and south sides of the Main Capitol building, and at the central entrance. All share the same decorative motifs and are three-paneled with the State Seal in the center panel. The central entrance door is more elaborate with scenes and people from he history of Pennsylvania. The arched upper portion of the doors contains a portrait bust of William Penn flanked by scenes depicting his landing at New Castle Delaware and his treaty with the Indians. The upper panels portray the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Below them are circular medallions with figure groups representing History and Education. Lower panels depict figures involved in Mining and Agriculture. On either side are portrait heads, among them: Matthew Quay, Boise Penrose, Governor Pennypacker, Huston, Barnard, Senator William Clark, owner of the Henry Bonnard Bronze Works, and the company's managing partner E. F. Auciagne and superintendent Merritt.

History -- United States -- Pennsylvania

History -- United States -- Declaration of Independence

History -- United States -- Constitution

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- History

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Agriculture

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Education

Occupation -- Industry -- Mining

Portrait male -- Aucaigne, E. F.

Portrait male -- Barnard,

Portrait male -- Clark, William

Portrait male -- Huston,

Portrait male -- Merritt

Portrait male -- Penn, William

Portrait male -- Pennybacker,

Portrait male -- Penrose, Boies

Portrait male -- Quay, Matthew

Occupation -- Political

Outdoor Sculpture -- Pennsylvania -- Harrisburg

Administered by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Capitol Preservation Committee, Room 30, Capitol Annex Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

Located Pennsylvania State Capitol, Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

Exact authorship of the bronze doors is unclear. Barnard provided drawings for the doors; Huston took credit for them. The doors were modeled by Otto Jahnsen, employed by J. Franklin Whitman & Co. The doors were cast by Henry-Bonnard Bronze Company. The portrait heads on the doors were apparently not part of the original design proposal and were controversial when unveiled. For further information see: "Pennsylvania Capitol, A Documentary History," compiled by Heritage Studies, Inc., 1987.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1989.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Pennsylvania survey, 1994.

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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