DOME AND BALDACCINO, ST. PETER’S BASILICA, ROME: Michelangelo became the chief architect at St. Peter’s in 1546. By the time of his death in 1564, the dome was still not complete. The vault was completed in 1590 by Giacomo della Porta. Domenico Fontana then built the lantern and the dome was complete by 1593. The interior of the dome is 42.3 metres in diameter and rises 120 meters above the floor. The baldacchino sits directly below the dome and is the main visual focal point of the great church. It is made from almost 1,000 tons of bronze that was removed from the roof of the Pantheon. Designed by Bernini, the baldacchino was completed in 1633, and is accented with gold leaves. It stands 30 metres tall. The beautiful spiral columns are similar in style to the original St. Peter’s Basilica.
Shot handheld with a Nikon D3100, Nikon A-FS 10-24mm lens at 10mm, 1/13 sec, f3.5, ISO 800. John Ecker | pantheon photography
CAPITOL DOME AND FRESCO, WASHINGTON, D.C.: True story… Several years ago, while in Rome, Italy, I was standing near St. Peter’s Square late in the evening. An American couple and their two children pulled up in a taxi and got out. They approached me, nodding to the dome, asking me if “that” (St. Peter’s Basilica) was the American embassy. First time outside of America, I’d guess.
The Capitol building dome in Washington does, of course, resemble the great Roman basilica. It has inspired countless other domes across the world. Washington D.C.’s Capitol dome is made of cast iron and weighs 8,909,200 lbs. The interior of the dome, as seen from the floor in these two photos, features a fresco painted by an Italian called Constantino Brumidi in 1865. The painting is called The Apotheosis of Washington. The painting depicts George Washington becoming a god (apotheosis) during America’s revolutionary war. Washington is draped in the royal colour purple. Forming a circle are 13 maidens, each with a star above her head, to represent the 13 original American colonies. And, above Washington’s head, is the banner E Pluribus Unum which means “out of many, one.”
Photos by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Top photo: Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, Nikon AFS 10-24mm lens at 10mm,1/60 sec., f5, ISO 640
Botton photo: Shot handheld with a Nikon D40X, Nikon AFS 18-200 lens at 170mm, 1/40 sec, f7.1, ISO 800
Capitol Building, view from Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
CAPITOL BUILDING, VIEW FROM LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. Capitol building is such a dominant landmark in the city. The layout of the city affords visitors terrific views from a wide variety of places throughout Washington. Finding a new perspective is not easy. I came across this interesting angle while visiting the Library of Congress.
Shot handheld with a Nikon D40X with a Nikkor AF-S f 18-200 lens at 55mm,f7.1, 1/1600 sec, ISO 800. Image by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Washington Monument and Capitol Dome view from Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C., photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
WASHINGTON MONUMENT AND CAPITOL DOME FROM LINCOLN MEMORIAL: The Washington monument and dome of the Capitol Building be seen in the distance from this photo taken at the Lincoln Memorial. The memorial also provides a commanding view of the reflecting pool and WWII memorial. Construction of the Memorial began on February 12, 1911, Lincoln’s birthday. The magnificent tribute to one of America’s greatest presidents opened on May 30, 1922 with Lincoln’s only surviving child, Robert Todd Lincoln in attendance. A year later, Memorial architect Henry Bacon received a Gold Medal by the American Institute of Architects for his Greek Revival design. The building is constructed of marble and limestone. This photo is taken on the southern wall exterior. The interior southern wall contains the full text of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Shot handheld with a Nikon D40X, Nikkor AF-S 18-200mm at 18mm, f11, 1/4000 sec., ISO 800, Photo by John Ecker | Pantheon Photography