Does anyone recognise this image?

[Tamrin]

Would someone please provide some context for this illustration.
Does anyone have an image of it with better resolution?
Are the initials on the pedestal "M" and "B"?

[Azaziel]

Philip,

Sorry I can't help, but to me it looks european

[Tamrin]

Thanks Terry (I'm thinking either France or America soon after independence).

Apr 26, 2009 15:07:55 GMT 10 Tamrin said:

Would someone please provide some context for this illustration.
Does anyone have an image of it with better resolution?
Are the initials on the pedestal "M" and "B"?

A marginally better image (from a dump off the video clip on full screen mode, 3:38 / 3:44 minutes into the 8:23 minute clip). The initials on the pedestal are clearer and are even more apparent as they flicker in and out of focus while playing. I would still like a better image and some context, if anyone can please help.

For an idea of why I am intrigued by this image and consider it to be highly significant, please refer to the "Masonic Icons" subcategory (under "Gallery") and the Masonry Helping Humanity thread in particular.

C.O.T.U.-1x10 Freemason Underground 1/5

[Tamrin]

Thank you Bro. Nicholas:

[Tamrin]

The Statue of Freedom

The bronze Statue of Freedom by Thomas Crawford is the crowning feature of the Dome of the United States Capitol. The bronze statue stands 19 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 15,000 pounds.

On May 11, 1855, [Construction Superintendent] Meigs wrote to the artist at his studio to commission the statue for the dome. Regarding its subject, Meigs wrote, “We have too many Washingtons, we have America in the pediment. Victories and Liberties are rather pagan emblems, but a Liberty I fear is the best we can get.”

Crawford ended up creating a series of three maquettes (preliminary small models) several feet high and sending photographs of them to Meigs for approval. He described his first design with a female figure wearing a wreath of wheat and laurel as “Freedom triumphant—in Peace and War.”

However, when Meigs sent him a copy of the drawing for the dome, Crawford realized that his statue needed to be taller and stand upon a more prominent pedestal. He then sculpted a graceful figure in a classical dress wearing a liberty cap encircled with stars, holding a shield, wreath, and sword, which he said represented Armed Liberty. It was sent to Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, who was in charge of the overall construction at the Capitol. Davis objected to the liberty cap, the symbol of freed slaves, because “its history renders it inappropriate to a people who were born free and should not be enslaved.” Davis suggested a helmet with a circle of stars. In response, Crawford designed a crested version of a Roman helmet, “the crest of which is composed of an eagle’s head and a bold arrangement of feathers, suggested by the costume of our Indian tribes.” This third design was approved by Jefferson Davis in April 1856.