Capitol Site Selection, 1791
After Congress selected an area along the Potomac River for the site of the new federal city, President Washington chose French engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city and design the p
Architect of the Capitol employees are responsible for the care and preservation of more than 300 works of art, architectural elements, landscape features and more.
Browse our pieces below or learn more about the artists, collections and subjects.
Captain Smith and Pocahontas
Pocahontas saves Captain John Smith, one of the founders of Jamestown, Virginia, from being clubbed to death. Her father, Chief Powhatan, is seated at the left. This scene is the first showing English settlement. (1607)
Car of History Clock
The marble Car of History by Carlo Franzoni (1789-1819) is located above the north door to National Statuary Hall (the Old Hall of the House of Representatives) in the United States Capitol.
Central North America
The map shows the central section of the continent to illustrate the effect of the Louisiana Purchase (1803), the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the opening of the West.
Charles Bulfinch Portrait
Between 1818 and 1829 the Capitol's center section and first dome were constructed under the direction of architect Charles Bulfinch.
Charles Carroll Statue
This statue of Charles Carroll was given to the National Statuary Hall Collection by Maryland in 1903. Carroll was a statesman and signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Charles Marion Russell Statue
This statue of Charles Marion Russell was given to the National Statuary Hall Collection by Montana in 1959.
Chestnut-Gibson Plaque
Memorial plaque honoring two members of the U.S. Capitol Police who died in the line of duty.
Chief Standing Bear Statue
This statue of Chief Standing Bear was given to the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection by Nebraska in 2019. Standing Bear's statue replaced one of William Jennings Bryan, which the state donated to the Collection in 1937.