Ceiling, Library of Congress, a photo from District of Columbia, South

Photographer's Note

This is the ceiling and skylight in the main rotunda (not the Reading Room) of the Jefferson Building in the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress was housed in the Capitol building until 1814, when it was burned by the British. After that, Thomas Jefferson offered his personal library as a replacement (he is quoted as saying at the time "I do not know that it contains any branch of science which Congress would wish to exclude from their collection; there is, in fact, no subject to which a Member of Congress may not have occasion to refer." I doubt that statement is true today; our current Congress seems to have precious little interest in education of any variety.)

Finally, in the late 1800s, Congress authorized construction of a permanent building to house the library; it was finished in 1893, sitting just to the east of the Capitol building, next to the U.S. Supreme Court (which was actually built after this building). The original building is named the Jefferson Building; Jefferson's original library is on public view in the library. Since then, many additional buildings have become part of the complex, but the Jefferson building is the most interesting and ornate, and the only one that is open to the public.

No_One, Giustiniani, SnapRJW, delpeoples, jcpix, cornejo, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (138541) 2014-06-16 8:44

Waaw Roger,one of the most beautiful ceiling pics never seen on TE.Truly perfect talking about the quality of detail and colors,impressive simmetry and fantastic decorations,i lik it!!! Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano

BennyV (34726) 2014-06-16 8:54

Hello Roger

Lovely soft colours & a fine looking-glass like composition, with plenty of parallels. This is a great shot.

Benny

COSTANTINO (115421) 2014-06-16 10:43

Hello my dear friend
it is the besr ceiling and skylight in the
main rotonda of the JEFFERSON building
lovely soft colors and deicate designs
decorating prfectly this composition
regards
have a nice time
Costantino

No_One (4) 2014-06-16 11:31

Hi Roger
This is a beautiful image, and a staggering work of architecture. It looks more like a delicate jewel than the centre piece of an important building. What really grabs me about this is the incredible light. Any time I try to shoot upwards in these kinds of place, there is always an interminable darkness up above, perhaps pierced by the glass, but here you have the most beautiful effect creating by the light pouring in from all sides. Really fantastic effect and beautiful result.
Thanks as always
Noel

Giustiniani (3650) 2014-06-16 15:06

Bonsoir Roger,
un beau plafond lumineux aux couleurs superbes. Excellent cadrage. Une belle photo, f駘icitations.
Amicalement,
Magaly

emka (157280) 2014-06-16 16:09

Hello Roger, Beautiful ceiling in this library. Excellent composition with [percfect symmetry and crop. Splendid presentation.

WArm regrads MAlgo

SnapRJW (31631) 2014-06-17 6:58

Hello Roger - What a superb ceiling and a beautifully managed shot. The symmetry is spot on and the colours soft and gorgeous.

I am very impressed and would love this in my gallery!

Warm regards

Rosemary

siudzi (34141) 2014-06-18 12:39

Hi Roger,
Wow! What a beautiful ceiling this! Its construction, design and paintings look so amazing with that bright tonality. Very well seen and composed with a great symmetry.

Best,
Gosia

delpeoples (60342) 2014-06-22 5:27

Gidda dear Roger

This is a wonderful photo. Beautifully illuminated, sharp and symmetrical. I can imagine that managing the light wasn't easy, but you did a superb job of balancing it out so evenly. And the details in the artwork are magnificent and have been captured superbly. Well done.

Warmest wishes
Lisa

jcpix (14030) 2014-06-23 16:41

Hi Roger,

Wow, I don't know how in the world I let this one get by me...what a super shot! This is really an admirable result, all of the details are clearly visible and the exposure enhances the entire appeal. I think what I like most is the fact we're looking upwards at something other than a dome. The rectangular layout is not often seen. Colors, clarity, symmetry...you name it, they're all here for the aesthetic enjoyment of our eyes. :) Top notch shot! Congratulations. Enjoy the rest of the evening. Take care.

Friendly wishes,

Jason

cornejo (61504) 2014-07-16 10:35

Hi Roger, very good picture of this beautiful and interesting ceiling with an interesting symmetrical framing, well captured in this interesting image with good sharpness, light and color. Very good and interesting job well done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

Good afternoon and happy rest of the week.
Best wishes from southern Spain.
Angel.

macjake (98260) 2014-07-17 20:39

Hi Roger
I have to say, i have never seen the inside of the Jefferson Building before!

great to see this important subject.

looks so familiar to all the Italian Cathedrals we see on TE.

very good sharpness with the F4, hard to get that amount of detail especially in the very middle with the blue colors. fine shot

PS
whats happening to your Sox this year???
cheers
craig