Past, artwork by Robert Ingersoll Aitken
Past (Aitken) is a monumental limestone sculpture standing in front of the National Archives Building along Pennsylvania Avenue, completed in 1935. The roughly 20-foot-tall figure of a Roman scholar forms one half of a paired composition with another sculpture called Present, together representing the passage of time.
The sculpture was created by Robert Ingersoll Aitken in 1935 under architect John Russell Pope's direction and placed in front of the National Archives Building. It was part of the New Deal era's investment in public art and belongs to a series of four major sculptures adorning the structure.
The sculpture depicts a Roman scholar holding a book and scroll, representing the value placed on knowledge and historical study. This figure gives the entrance a contemplative quality and speaks to the Archives' mission of preserving records for public understanding.
The sculpture is freely accessible along Pennsylvania Avenue and easily reached from the public sidewalk. It stands right at the Archives Building entrance, making it a natural stop for anyone visiting the area or walking through downtown Washington.
The statue's limestone surface has weathered over nearly nine decades, developing a natural patina that contrasts with its crisp original details visible in protected sections. This aging gives the sculpture a texture and character that reveals the passage of time itself.
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