Capitol Art

Sep 23, 2014

Keith Hemmelman shared photos of the South Dakota State Capitol Building in Pierre. The four-story neo-classical building was completed in 1910 with copper dome, Corinthian columns, granite and Bedford limestone walls and decorative murals. These photos show just some of the artwork that adorns our capitol. See more of Hemmelman's work at http://hemmelman.zenfolio.com/

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The central rotunda is flanked by the legislative wings, making it somewhat like the United States Capitol Building.
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The rotunda is 95 feet from the floor to the vaulted dome. In 1909, the State of South Dakota awarded the William G. Andrews Decorating Company of Clinton, Iowa, a $40,000 contract to decorate the interior of the new capitol. Edward Simmons painted the murals of Greek Goddesses on each of the four pendentives.
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This mural of Greek Goddess Ceres with stalk of corn symbolizes our state's agriculture. The United States seal is underneath the painting.
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This mural of Europa with Zeus the bull symbolizes livestock. The seal of France is underneath the painting, representing how South Dakota's land was purchased from France in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
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This mural, called "Motherhood," of Venus with Cupid represents the love of family. South Dakota's state seal is underneath the painting.
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This mural of Minerva operating a steam drill represents wisdom, industry and mining. Spain's seal is underneath the mural, recognizing Christopher Columbus' "discovery" of the United States in 1492.
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This Edward Simmons mural at the head of the grand stairway is titled "The Advent of Commerce." A white trader has drawn his canoe onto land and is negotiating with a Native American for the robe spread out before them.
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In each corner alcove of the rotunda are four bronze sculptures by Dale Lamphere of Sturgis. The sculptures were dedicated to the people of South Dakota in 1989 in honor of South Dakota's centennial.