Marcus Chen
The Texas State Capitol, located in downtown Austin, is home to a plethora of artworks, including more than 275 paintings, 175 works on paper, and 25 sculptures. The artworks are spread throughout the building and grounds, with paintings hanging in the House of Representatives Chamber, the Senate Chamber, the third-floor courtrooms, and the Capitol Extension Seal Court. The south foyer features two large paintings: David Crockett and The Surrender of Santa Anna by William Henry Huddle. Other notable paintings include Dawn at the Alamo and The Battle of San Jacinto by Henry Arthur McArdle, and Ranger Escort West of the Pecos by Tom Lea. The Capitol also features a watercolour by Capitol Architect Elijah E. Myers, as well as portraits of notable historical figures such as U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan and President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of paintings | More than 275 |
| Number of works on paper | 175 |
| Number of sculptures | 25 |
| Notable artists | William Henry Huddle, Henry Arthur McArdle, Thomas Jefferson Wright, Elisabet Ney, Edsel McCramor, David Wilson, Freeman Thorp, Tom Lea, Elijah E. Myers, Benjamin C. Smith, Aletha St. Romain, E.D. Ray, J.J. Groos, C.H. Rogers, Henry Wellge, A.L. Westyard, J.H. Colton, Louis G. Hester, A.H. Kirby, Thomas Groggan, E. E. Meyers |
| Notable subjects | Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, Santa Anna, Stephen F. Austin, David Crockett, Juan Nepomuceno Seguin, Barbara Jordan, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Mirabeau B. Lamar, James Stephen Hogg, Abner Lipscomb, John Hemphill, Royal Wheeler, Chas. Clarke, Gean Smith, Louis Eyth |
| Location of paintings | Senate Chamber, South Foyer, House of Representatives Chamber, House Chamber, Legislative Reference Library, third floor courtrooms, Capitol Gift Shop |
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What You'll Learn
- The Texas Capitol features more than 275 paintings
- Portraits of state justices and historical figures adorn the walls
- Works by Henry Arthur McArdle, William Henry Huddle, and Thomas Jefferson Wright are included
- The art showcases Texas history, citizens, and landscapes
- The Capitol Gift Shop offers historical art reproductions
The Texas Capitol features more than 275 paintings
The South Foyer of the Texas Capitol features two large paintings by William Henry Huddle: "David Crockett" and "The Surrender of Santa Anna". Huddle's painting of Santa Anna depicts the Mexican general in disguise, negotiating with Sam Houston after being wounded in battle. The South Foyer also features sculptures of Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, created by German-born artist Elisabet Ney.
The Senate Chamber on the second floor of the Capitol houses several important artworks. This includes two large oil paintings by Irish-born Texas artist Henry Arthur McArdle: "Dawn at the Alamo" and "The Battle of San Jacinto". McArdle's works depict two of the most important battles of the Texas Revolution, with the latter painting measuring nine feet tall by fifteen feet wide. Another notable painting in the Senate Chamber is "Battle of San Jacinto", completed by McArdle in 1895 after conducting extensive research. This painting shows the final battle of the Texas Revolution, where 900 Texas soldiers defeated a much larger Mexican force.
The House Chamber, the largest room in the building, features a portrait of the first native Texas governor, James Stephen Hogg, by Freeman Thorp. Other notable artworks in the House Chamber include a painting of Sam Houston by William Henry Huddle and "The Settlement of Austin's Colony" by Henry Arthur McArdle.
The third floor of the Texas Capitol features paintings of state justices who served prior to 1915, with portraits of Abner Lipscomb, John Hemphill, and Royal Wheeler appointed by Governor James Pinckney Henderson in 1846.
The Texas Capitol also features a Capitol Artwork Gallery, which includes seventeen paintings on display.
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Portraits of state justices and historical figures adorn the walls
The Texas State Capitol is adorned with hundreds of paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. The building, which is the seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas, houses the offices and chambers of the Texas Legislature and the Governor of Texas. The Texas Capitol features some of the state's most treasured artworks, with more than 275 paintings, 175 works on paper, and 25 sculptures. These artworks help to tell the story of Texas by portraying its founding citizens and the natural beauty of the state's landscape.
The third floor courtrooms of the Texas Capitol feature paintings of state justices who served in the Capitol prior to 1915. The portraits, by unknown artists, depict Abner Lipscomb, John Hemphill, and Royal Wheeler—the three state justices appointed by Governor James Pinckney Henderson to serve on the Supreme Court for the new State of Texas in 1846. These portraits hang on the recreated drapery treatment in the historic Supreme Court Courtroom.
Portraits of other notable historical figures can be found throughout the Capitol. For example, a portrait of U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan by Edsel McCramor hangs in the House Chamber, the largest room in the building. This room also features a portrait of the first native Texas governor, James Stephen Hogg, by Freeman Thorp, and a painting of Sam Houston by William Henry Huddle. The House Chamber also displays the only textile in the collection—the original flag from the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto.
The central rotunda of the Texas Capitol is hung with portraits of all the past presidents of the Republic of Texas and governors of the State of Texas. The rotunda is also a whispering gallery, where visitors can speak softly and have their words carried to other parts of the room. The south foyer of the Capitol features a large portrait of David Crockett, a painting depicting the surrender of General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, and sculptures of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin by Elisabet Ney.
In addition to portraits and historical paintings, the Texas Capitol also features artworks that commemorate specific events or moments in Texas history. For example, the Senate Chamber on the second floor of the Capitol displays two large oil paintings by Henry Arthur McArdle: "Dawn at the Alamo" and "The Battle of San Jacinto." These paintings interpret two of the most important battles of the Texas Revolution and are known for their dramatic impact. Another painting by McArdle, "The Settlement of Austin's Colony," hangs in the House of Representatives Chamber and depicts Stephen F. Austin rallying Anglo colonists against the Karankawa Indians.
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Works by Henry Arthur McArdle, William Henry Huddle, and Thomas Jefferson Wright are included
The Texas Capitol features several works by artists Henry Arthur McArdle, William Henry Huddle, and Thomas Jefferson Wright.
Henry Arthur McArdle (1836-1908) was an Irish-born Texas artist of French and Irish descent. He is known for his paintings commemorating Texas history, including "Dawn at the Alamo" and "The Battle of San Jacinto", which interpret two of the most important battles of the Texas Revolution. "Dawn at the Alamo" was completed in 1875 and measures over eight feet tall by over thirteen feet wide. It hangs in the Senate Chamber of the Texas State Capitol and depicts celebrated Alamo defenders, including David Crockett and Commander William B. Travis. McArdle's painting "The Battle of San Jacinto" from 1895 depicts Sam Houston and is also on display in the Texas State Capitol. In addition to these works, McArdle also painted "Lee at the Wilderness" and a portrait of Jefferson Davis, which was commissioned by Texas governor Lawrence Sullivan Ross to hang in the capitol building.
William Henry Huddle (1847-1892) is another artist featured in the Texas Capitol. His paintings include "David Crockett," an oversized portrait of Alamo defender and US Congressman David Crockett, and "Surrender of Santa Anna," which depicts Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna wearing a private's uniform after being captured by Texas General Sam Houston. This painting hangs in the South Foyer of the Capitol and shows over thirty other historical figures from the Battle of San Jacinto. Huddle's work also includes "George Washington Wright," an oil on canvas painting from 1873.
Thomas Jefferson Wright (1798-1846) is represented in the Texas Capitol with his painting "Juan Nepomuceno Seguin," an oil on canvas work completed in 1838. This painting is the only known portrait of Tejano leader Juan Seguin and is on display in the Legislative Reference Library.
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The art showcases Texas history, citizens, and landscapes
The Texas State Capitol features a rich collection of artworks that showcase the state's history, citizens, and landscapes. With over 275 paintings, numerous sculptures, and works on paper, the Capitol offers a visual journey through Texas's past and pays tribute to its notable figures.
One of the most prominent themes in the Capitol's art collection is the commemoration of Texas's history, particularly significant battles and revolutionary events. For example, the painting "The Battle of San Jacinto" by Henry Arthur McArdle depicts the final battle of the Texas Revolution, where Texas soldiers defeated a larger Mexican force to win their independence. Another painting, "Dawn at the Alamo" by the same artist, captures the defence of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. These artworks interpret pivotal moments in Texas's path to statehood and independence.
The Capitol also showcases artworks honouring notable citizens who have shaped the state's history. The South Foyer features large paintings of Davy Crockett and the Surrender of Santa Anna by William H. Huddle. Crockett, known for his coonskin cap, was a popular frontiersman. The painting of Santa Anna depicts the moment the Mexican general surrendered to General Sam Houston after the Battle of San Jacinto. Additionally, the Capitol features portraits of historical figures such as U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan, President Lyndon Baines Johnson, and Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar.
The art in the Texas Capitol also extends to sculptures and statues of significant Texans. Sculpted by Elisabet Ney, the statues of Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston stand tall in the first-floor rotunda. Austin is regarded as the "Father of Texas" for his role in establishing the state's first colonies. Houston, a leader during the Texas Revolution, served as the first president of the Republic of Texas and held various other political offices. These sculptures honour the contributions of these influential Texans.
Beyond the Capitol building, the surrounding grounds also showcase artworks that celebrate Texas's history and beauty. Covering 22 acres, the grounds feature statues and monuments, including one commemorating the Heroes of the Alamo. The Texas Capitol Gift Shop further enriches the artistic experience by offering historical paintings, maps, photographs, and stunning landscapes of the state for visitors to acquire and cherish.
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The Capitol Gift Shop offers historical art reproductions
The Texas State Capitol is a treasure trove of history and art, with the story of Texas told through its architecture, paintings, sculptures, and more. The Capitol building houses over 275 paintings, each a window into the state's past, celebrating its heroes and pivotal moments.
Among the reproductions are works by renowned artists such as William Henry Huddle, whose paintings "David Crockett" and "The Surrender of Santa Anna" greet visitors in the South Foyer. These paintings depict pivotal moments in Texas history, such as the surrender of General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. The Gift Shop also offers reproductions of historical maps, photographs, and portraits, allowing you to select pieces that hold special significance for you.
Another artist featured in the Gift Shop is Henry Arthur McArdle, known for his dramatic interpretations of Texas history. His paintings, such as "Dawn at the Alamo" and "The Battle of San Jacinto," hang in the Senate Chamber, and reproductions of these works are available through the Gift Shop. McArdle's attention to detail and historical research bring these moments to life, offering a unique perspective on Texas' journey.
Additionally, the Gift Shop offers reproductions of artworks by artists like Thomas Jefferson Wright, the only known portrait artist of Tejano leader Juan Nepomuceno Seguin, and Benjamin C. Smith, whose works capture the beauty of Austin and the Texas landscape. By acquiring these reproductions, you can bring a touch of the Capitol's grandeur and historical significance into your home or office, creating a lasting connection to the rich heritage of Texas.
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Frequently asked questions
There are more than 275 paintings in the Texas Capitol and grounds.
Some of the notable paintings in the Texas Capitol include:
- *Dawn at the Alamo* and *The Battle of San Jacinto* by Henry Arthur McArdle.
- *David Crockett* and *The Surrender of Santa Anna* by William Henry Huddle.
- *Ranger Escort West of the Pecos* by Tom Lea.
- *Juan Nepomuceno Seguin* by Thomas Jefferson Wright.
- *The Settlement of Austin's Colony* by Henry Arthur McArdle.
In addition to paintings, the Texas Capitol features 175 works on paper and 25 sculptures. The central rotunda is hung with portraits of all the past presidents of the Republic of Texas and governors of the State of Texas. The House Chamber features the only textile in the collection -- the original flag from the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto.
The Texas State Capitol is located in downtown Austin, Texas. It is the sixth-tallest state capitol and one of several taller than the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
