Commonwealth, Bronze statue on State Capitol dome in Harrisburg, United States
Description
Commonwealth is a bronze statue crowning the dome of Pennsylvania State Capitol, standing about 14 feet tall and showing a female figure holding a staff and shield. The sculpture sits atop a gilded sphere, creating a recognizable silhouette against the sky from many locations downtown.
History
Joseph Huston, the Capitol's architect, commissioned sculptor Roland Hinton Perry to create this work in 1905. The statue was hoisted to the dome using steam-powered equipment, a significant engineering feat of its era.
Culture
The figure on the dome embodies Pennsylvania's values in farming, trade, and manufacturing through the objects she carries and holds aloft above the state's seat of power.
Practical
The best views of the statue come from the streets surrounding the Capitol building, especially from elevated areas nearby. Morning light works well for seeing details, and you can observe it throughout the year without needing to enter the building.
Did you know?
The entire sculpture weighs around 3 tons and has defined Harrisburg's skyline for more than a century. When viewed through binoculars from ground level, you can see fine details in the casting and surface that most visitors never notice.
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