Skip to main content

Primary sourceSculpture

Tympanum of the Central East Portico, US Capitol

Luigi Persico (after a concept by John Quincy Adams)

An allegorical sculpture group on the US Capitol's east front, designed to a concept set by John Quincy Adams as president.

Adams, as president, set the concept behind this allegorical sculpture on the US Capitol's east front.

Ask John Quincy Adams about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Engraved line drawing of an allegorical sculpture group: a robed woman on the left holds a scroll and a set of scales; a central standing figure with a spear and helmet beside a shield inscribed USA and an eagle; a woman on the right gestures upward beside an anchor.
Allegorical group on the tympanum of the central east portico, US Capitol, concept by John Quincy Adams, executed by Luigi Persico.

About this source

What it is

This is an engraving of the allegorical sculpture group on the tympanum (the triangular space) above the central east portico of the United States Capitol. It shows three figures: a robed woman holding a scroll and scales, a central standing figure with a spear, helmet, shield marked USA and an eagle, and a woman gesturing upward beside an anchor. It was carved by Luigi Persico, working from a concept set by President John Quincy Adams.

Why it matters

The pediment, called the Genius of America, shows how national symbols were chosen deliberately by political leaders. Adams, as president, shaped the ideas behind the allegory, linking justice, strength and hope to the new nation. It shows how art on government buildings was used to project messages about the United States.

Look closer

  • What do the scales, eagle, and anchor each seem to symbolize?
  • Why might a president want to control the design of a building's decoration?
  • What is left out of this image of

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of John Quincy Adams on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More John Quincy Adams sources

Meet the AI John Quincy Adams →
Handwritten manuscript page numbered 29 in brown ink on aged, yellowed paper, in cursive script. The text discusses events in Spain and Portugal, the independence of the Americas, and non-interference by European powers. A small signature 'Adams' appears at the bottom right.Speech

Primary source

Monroe Doctrine

James Monroe · 2 December 1823

Front cover of a red cloth-bound book with faded, worn surface and faint illegible title lettering in the center, with a small dark mark near the top left and a brownish spot on the lower right.Diary entry

Primary source

Diary of John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams · 1779–1848

Handwritten manuscript page on aged paper, bound at left with a dark cord. Title reads 'Treaty of Peace and Amity between His Britannic Majesty and The United States of America', followed by the opening paragraph in cursive script.Document

Primary source

Treaty of Ghent

24 December 1814

Map titled 'The Adams-Onís Treaty', showing area claimed by the US before the treaty and results of the new agreement. Shaded regions mark US states, US territories, and Area Ceded by Spain; a red line marks the new boundary along 42 degrees north, the Arkansas and Red Rivers, and 32 degrees north. Labels include Oregon Country, Missouri Territory, and Viceroyalty of New Spain.Document

Primary source

Adams–Onís Treaty

1819 (effective 1821)

Title page of the printed 1841 speech 'Argument of John Quincy Adams, before the Supreme Court of the United States, in the case of the United States, appellants, vs. Cinque, and others, Africans, captured in the schooner Amistad'. It notes the speech was delivered February 24 and March 1, 1841, with a review of the case of the Antelope, and was printed in New York by S. W. Benedict, 128 Fulton Street, 1841.Speech

Primary source

Argument of John Quincy Adams before the Supreme Court in the case of United States v. Cinque (Amistad)

John Quincy Adams · 24 February and 1 March 1841

Ready when you are

Start chatting with John Quincy Adams now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions