photo: Carol M. Highsmith
The Jefferson Memorial was officially dedicated in April 1943 on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s birth. Architect John Russell Pope intended the design of the memorial, loosely based on the Roman Pantheon, to reflect Jefferson’s ideals of freedom, independence, and equality. Although built at a time of increasing popularity of Modernism, Pope remained faithful to the dictates of Beaux-Arts classicism. The exterior of the memorial is of Vermont marble and the interior of white Georgia marble and limestone.
Comments (9)
Although I have never been a fan of classical architecture as copied by later generations, I must say that the Jefferson Memorial is the most elegant of all of the grand buildings in our nation's capital--a fitting tribute to Jefferson.
Posted by Vernon Reed, FAIA | February 9, 2007 6:34 PM
Posted on February 9, 2007 18:34
Few might believe it now, but the Jefferson Memorial was _very_ controversial. In part--location--cutting down some of those cherry trees around the Tidal Basin was very unpopular. Also, in the 1940s Jefferson hadn't yet reached the giddy heights of historical popularity he currently inhabits. And the classicism this monument embodies had passed its peak of popularity. Architectural fashions change. The Eisenhower Executive Office Building was threatened with a classical cladding to make it the twin of Treasury, before it was threatened with demolition.
The Jefferson Memorial also carries the (dubious?) distinction of being the only memorial not approved by the Commission of Fine Arts (since the CFA's founding in 1910).
Posted by Matthew Gilmore | February 15, 2007 6:55 PM
Posted on February 15, 2007 18:55
Matthew,
How was it ever built if it was never approved by the Commission of Fine Arts?
Posted by Andy | February 18, 2007 10:10 AM
Posted on February 18, 2007 10:10
Architecture need not be a new wheel to favorably empress the sensitive observer. Classic is classic for good reason!
Regards from an innocent bystander.
Posted by Sabrina | February 27, 2007 5:48 PM
Posted on February 27, 2007 17:48
I have to say it: The Jefferson Memorial is a stupid, pointless exercise in marble, a waste of a building intended to glorify Thomas Jefferson. The entire concept is out of place in our democracy. The words chosen to be molded into the interior were far better left where they are already found - on the heart and soul of the founding creedo of the United States as well as inside every American. To cast Jefferson as some sort of neoclassical Greek or Roman poet-god is counter to everything he stood for. In such an attempt to elevate a key national leader into something heroic, it fails the basic truth contained in Jefferson's great words that ALL men are equal - not 26 feet high and cast in bronze in a duomo-like marble basilica.
Posted by albert | March 2, 2007 9:55 PM
Posted on March 2, 2007 21:55
d
Posted by d | March 9, 2007 8:54 AM
Posted on March 9, 2007 08:54
I don't know if it's meant to make Jefferson out to be a "neoclassical Greek or Roman poet-god," but it's fitting style considering the home he designed is of the same style.
Posted by Jerry | March 14, 2007 8:44 AM
Posted on March 14, 2007 08:44
I think it is a completely fitting tribute to Jefferson. Jefferson was a fan of classic architectural style. Look at the buildings he designed. He also was a strong proponent of using classical architectural elements in the national capital. He felt it added a sense of permanence and substance to what was in his time a very new and shaky venture (American democracy). DC looks like it does in large part due to Jefferson's opinions and influence. I think he would love the memorial.
Posted by Kevin | March 15, 2007 10:04 AM
Posted on March 15, 2007 10:04
omg i am doing this report for school and i am getting all my answers off this site so if i get an a+ then i will get back to this
Posted by KATHERINE | March 28, 2007 7:43 PM
Posted on March 28, 2007 19:43