Page 8 - HIWT Spring 2012 World of Welding

THE WORLD OF WELDING http://www.welding.org

THE GENIUS OF CONNECTICUT

These are a few of the historic facts about the angel on the In the statue's right hand (viewer's left) is a wreath of immor-
cover of this issue. The original angel was an 1878 bronze/ talis or dried flowers to symbolize long life. In her other hand
plaster sculpture by Randolph Rogers. is a wreath of mountain laurel, the state flower.
On display in the north lobby of the Capitol Building n Con- On her head she wears white oak leaves for strength from the
necticut is the original plaster model used in the casting of the state tree of Connecticut.
bronze Genius.
The statue's outstretched wings are to protect the people of
Randolph Rogers, who was also the artist who designed the Connecticut.
bronze "Columbus Doors" on the nation's Capitol, called the
piece "The Angel of Resurrection". The Genius has "Roman Toes"; her second toe is longer than
the big toe. Some people believe that women with such toes
The use of the word "genius" connotes that she is a protector will be placed in positions of power or importance.
figure or a symbol of the spirit of the people of Connecticut.
The Roman numerals on the marble base are for 1878 (when
The model was made in Rome and the 3.5 ton, 17 feet 10 inch- the bronze statue was placed on the dome) and 1987 (when the
es tall figure was cast in Munich, Germany. model was given a new base).

The statue stood atop the Capitol dome from 1878 until 1938. The plaster model was restored in the 1980s. At that time a
special internal support system was designed for her wings and
In 1938 a great hurricane hit the eastern coast of the country. arms and she was painted bronze.

The Genius was damaged and people feared that she would In 2009, five years after a decision was made to recast a new
fall from the dome. After a long debate, the statue was re- bronze statue to replicate the original, the sculpture was placed
moved and placed in the basement. In 1942, the original piece in the Capitol rotunda.
was donated to the federal government and melted down as
part of the war effort to make
ammunition and machine parts. The original plaster cast was Compliments of:
preserved. http://www.cga.ct.gov/capitoltours/photohtmpages/CapitolPhoto9.htm

www.tempil.com
(800) 757-8301
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