USA 250: Building a new Rome
6/25/202653 min
Shortly after its formation, the United States of America initiated a building program for both state and federal governments, turning to Ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. As Mary and Charlotte discover… In-between duties like writing the Declaration of Independence, acting as Minister to France and being President, Thomas Jefferson found time to make inspiration trips to study Roman architecture in France. Although he didn’t design the Capitol in Washington DC, he set the tone with his designs for Monticello (his Virginia home) as well as the University of Virginia and Virginia State Capitol.
Over the decades, other influences gained greater prominence - whether nostalgic styles like the gothic or the modernity of Frank Lloyd Wright. But neo-classicism is on the rise once again. According to President Trump’s executive order Making Architecture Beautiful Again, ‘classical’ is the preferred style for federal buildings - in particular, the plan for a ‘United States Triumphal Arch’.
Mary and Charlotte recommend some further reading:
Donald Trump’s executive order on classical architecture.
Edwin Heathcote, the architecture critic of the Financial Times, on triumphal arches and DC.
The DC Commission of Fine Arts have published the schemes for Trump’s arch: https://www.cfa.gov/system/files/meeting-materials/1-CFA-16APR26-1-EOP\_DOI\_Arch-pres%20%5BApr9%5D.pdf
The first scheme for the Navy Memorial, including the triumphal arch is shown here: https://escholarship.org/content/qt9r40k5hd/qt9r40k5hd_noSplash_87482e06371178d8fcd9bb449eb06f39.pdf
A useful website for Jefferson’s classical architecture: https://www.monticello.org/jefferson-and/architecture
The temporary triumphal arch in DC is pictured here: https://ggwash.org/view/40678/dc-once-had-its-own-arc-de-triomphe
The detailed history of triumphal arches, from antiquity to now, is the subject of Peter Howell, The Triumphal Arch (Unicorn, 2021)
Mary’s The Roman Triumph (Harvard UP, pb, 2009) discusses the Roman significance of these arches, and the incident with Pompey’s elephants.
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Charlotte Higgins· Host0:28
Classical architecture has always been a big deal in the United States.
Mary Beard· Host0:34
The nation was born in togas and under the brand of Rome, so it's not surprising that Roman, and occasionally Greek style, carries a particular edge in America, even now, though perhaps in different ways and for different reasons.
Charlotte Higgins· Host0:51
We're thinking of President Trump's classical ballroom now being added onto the White House.
Mary Beard· Host0:56
Or the huge triumphal arch, that Roman symbol of power and success, that the president plans for the ceremonial center of Washington, DC.
Charlotte Higgins· Host1:07
Which is an overblown piece of vulgarity to its detractors. Far too big, far too much gold. But to its fans, it's a glorious celebration of the United States in the most appropriate architectural style and in the most appropriate place.
Mary Beard· Host1:22
In this episode of our miniseries, USA 250, we're looking at classical architecture