Image description: This painting, the Apotheosis of Washington, is in the center of the U.S. Capitol dome. It was painted in the true fresco technique by Constantino Brumidi in 1865.

Image courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol

Image description: This photograph of the U.S. Capitol is among the earliest known. It was taken in 1846 by John Plumbe and shows the building’s first dome, which was made of brick, wood, and copper.

Image courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol