is the banner
E Pluribus Unum,
Latin for "out of many, one".
The Apotheosis of Washington depicts
George Washington sitting among the heavens in an exalted manner, or in literary terms, ascending and becoming a god (
apotheosis). Washington, the first
U.S. president and
commander-in-chief of the
Continental Army during the
American Revolutionary War, is
allegorically represented, surrounded by figures from
classical mythology. George Washington is draped in
purple, worn by generals of the ancient
Roman Republic during their
triumphs, with a
rainbow arch at his feet, flanked by the goddess
Victoria, who is draped in green, blowing a horn, to his left and the
goddess Liberty to his right. Liberty wears a red
liberty cap, symbolizing emancipation, from a Roman tradition where slaves being
manumitted would be given a felt cap (
Latin pileus). She holds a
fasces in her right hand and an open book in the other, to which George Washington gestures with his right hand. Forming a circle between Liberty and Victory are 13 maidens, each with a star above her head representing the original
Thirteen Colonies. Several of the maidens have their backs turned to George Washington, said to represent the colonies that had seceded from the Union at the time of painting. Across the circle from George Washington is the banner
E Pluribus Unum,
Latin for "out of many, one". Surrounding George Washington, the two goddesses and the 13 maidens are six scenes lining the perimeter, each representing a national concept allegorically: from directly below George Washington in the center and moving clockwise, "
War", "
Science", "
Marine", "
Commerce", "
Mechanics" and "
Agriculture". The perimeter scenes are not fully visible from the floor of the
United States Capitol. == See also ==