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INSTALLING THE PAINTING


Preparing the Canvas for Shipping

Preparing the Canvas for Shipping

A dress rehearsal to assemble the frame and painting was conducted at the conservator's studio to ensure a smooth installation of Henry Clay in the U.S. Senate at the Capitol.

Arriving at the Capitol

Arriving at the Capitol

On a sunlit morning, the restored painting and original frame arrived at the Capitol for installation.
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Arriving at the Capitol

Arriving at the Capitol

Observers inquired if rolls of carpeting were being delivered to the Capitol, but what they witnessed were art handlers removing quilt-wrapped lengths of the massive frame from the delivery truck.

At the Top...

At the Top...

Moving a delicate 7 x 11 foot piece of artwork through marble-columned porticos and tight doorways presented challenges.

Staging Room

Staging Room

Lyndon Baines Johnson's former office in the Capitol, an elaborately decorated room located near the Senate Chamber, served as a staging room due to its convenient location.
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Unpacking the Frame

Unpacking the Frame

Art handlers and conservators combined efforts to unpack the painting and frame, perform preliminary assembly, and prepare for installation.

Preparing for Frame Assembly

Preparing for Frame Assembly

A team of art handlers worked with precision to install the large frame in tight quarters on scaffolding.

Assembling the Frame

Assembling the Frame

A pneumatic hoist supported the heavy, top frame segment, which weighed nearly 100 lbs. Wooden jigs, seen strapped to the frame, held the vertical segments in place during assembly.

Lifting the Canvas

Lifting the Canvas

With the mahogany frame assembled, the painting and its gilded inner liner could be put in place.

Installing the Canvas

Installing the Canvas

After 55 years in storage, the painting and its frame were reunited for permanent display.
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Reunited at Last!

A New Location

The colorful and highly ornamented Brumidi Stairwell, built in the 1850s, is suited to the style of the Victorian-era painting and frame.

View through the Brumidi Railing

View through the Brumidi Railing

At last, Henry Clay in the U.S. Senate has a place to call home.