Constructed between 1888 and 1897, the Library of Congress is located in Washington, D.C. at the intersection of 1st St. and Independance Avenue. It's beautiful, large-scale building is comprised mainly of marble, granite, iron, and bronze. The Library's architectural style is reminiscent of that of ancient Greece. It's typical Greek characteristics include columns of the Ionic order, relief sculpture, and statues of Greek god figures, such as Poseidon, god of the sea. These attributes are significantly comparable to those of the altar of Pergamon located in present day Turkey. Housing thousands of books, music, and art collections, the Library of Congress contains numerous reading rooms used by the public people. It is not restricted to use by special officials, but welcomes everybody as it was constructed specifically to serve as the American national library.

The present Library of Congress had a difficult time getting started in its early stages. Originally located in the United States Capitol building between 1806 and 1814(U.S. Government, 1), a fire caused the Library to be relocated to a temporary hotel location. Soon it was replaced into the north wing of the Capitol, and then into the center of the west front (U.S. Government, 2). Unfortunately, another disastrous fire burned the Library and yet again it had to be repaired. The Librarian of Congress at this time in 1865, Ainsworth Rand Spofford, realized the Library was expanding to the point where it would soon need it's own separate building from the Capitol. He drew up an architectural plan in 1872 and presented it to Congress who authorized it.

The Library of Congress

The new structure, named the Jefferson Building, was elaborately decorated. Under the direction of architects John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J. Pelz, constructionists Thomas Casey and Bernard Green employed at least forty-two sculptors and painters (U.S. Government, 4). The designers kept typical Greek architecture in mind when building the Library of Congress. The structure imitates Greek styles, particularly those found in the altar of Pergamon, and was completed in 1897.

The altar at Pergamon was constructed during the reign of Eumenes II, around 197-159 BC (Stokstad, 212). Unlike the Library of Congress, the altar was not constructed by distinguished architects, but by numerous Pergamene artists. The main functions of the altar were for prayer and worship dedicated to gods. It was erected in celebration of Pergamon's defeat of the Gauls.

The Altar of Pergamon

Although built hundreds of years apart, the Library of Congress and the altar of Pergamon have definite physical similarities. One distinct likeness is the columns each has. They are both columns of the Ionic order, characterized by the ram's head capitals. The two buildings are entered by large staircases leading to multiple entrances. Greek figures are depicted on the exterior of each and are sculpted in high relief with deep undercuttings to enhance the figures. Another similarity is the size of the buildings. Both were built on a massive scale stretching out on a horizontal line.

Physical contrasts are apparent as well. Although the Library of Congress has typical Greek traits, it does not have an engraved frieze like the altar of Pergamon. Wings were built on both monuments, but in different ways. The Library's wings are its' two staircases; the wings of the altar are continuations of the building itself which jut out from the sides. The scenes depicted in sculpture are different also even though they both use Greek figures. At the Library of Congress, Poseidon, god of the sea, is sculpted. The altar of Pergamon, however, depicts a battle between the Gods and the Giants. The column design is not the same on each building as well. They are stand in pairs in front of the Library, but are in a single row on the altar.

The relationship between the Library of Congress and the altar at Pergamon goes deeper than their physical characteristics. There are connections in their meanings as well. Both were built as celebrations of concepts important to the people who constructed them. The Library of Congress was erected as a symbol of "the universality of knowledge and ...American turn-of-the-century optimism" (U.S. Government, 8). The intricate detail of the Library is also described as representing "human thought and aspiration" (U.S. Government, 6). The altar of Pergamon is just as meaningful, but symbolizes different ideals. It was built to glorify Pergamon's victory over the Gauls. The Greeks valued battle highly and valued the honor received from winning fights even higher. The main difference is that the Library of Congress celebrates mental values while the altar of Pergamon celebrates physical values.

The architecture of the Library of Congress expresses a modern presence of the past. It's similarities to the altar of Pergamon lie in physical appearances and in deeper meanings. Both reflect the beauty of Greek architecture and the values of the people who designed them.

Bibliography

Schwartz, Nancy B. District of Columbia Catalog. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1974.

Stokstad, Marilyn. Art History. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1995.

United States Government. "Jefferson's Legacy: A Brief History of the Library of Congress." http://lcweb.loc.gov/loc/legacy/bldgs.html. (1996): 1-12.

Allen, William C. The Dome of the United States Capitol: An Architectural History. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1992.

Created by Amy Ayers