Capitol Building Paint Analysis and Plaster Repairs

The U.S. Capitol Building has been decorated multiple times as the building has been renovated and the extensions were constructed. The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) leads an effort with the House and Senate curators to identify spaces in the building that may contain evidence of historic paint schemes that are no longer visible due to modern painting.

In many of these areas the plaster is failing under the stress and weight of multiple paint layers, a result of decades of repainting wall and ceiling surfaces. Prior to removing the failing plaster, paint samples are collected and analyzed, a process that allows the AOC to record the finishes used in the past before removing the evidence of historic treatments.

Senate Connecting Corridor

The First Floor Senate Connecting Corridor was constructed as part of Thomas U. Walter's extension of the U.S. Capitol during the 1850s. It was believed that this room was originally painted by artist Constantino Brumidi in collaboration with his staff of decorative painters. This project will restore the failing paint and plaster to a color scheme replicating the decorative scheme circa 1852-1859.

BEFORE	AFTER
Image Photo by Thomas Hatzenbuhler	Image Photo by Thomas Hatzenbuhler

Many of the colors discovered through paint analysis in this area reflect those existing in the historic Minton tiles on the floor. In addition to geometric lines and patterns found on the walls and ceilings, the lunettes above the windows revealed intricate floral designs and guilloche patterns on the underside of the arch. The walls and lunettes above the windows will receive a canvas surface upon which trompe l'oeil details and other decorative elements will be painted.

The room will be scaffolded completely, to reach the high ceiling vaults, but the corridor will remain open to pedestrian traffic throughout the project.

The project area was completed summer 2025.