The House of Representatives
1822 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This large-scale oil painting depicts the interior of the Old Hall of the House of Representatives (now National Statuary Hall) in the U.S. Capitol, rendered with precise architectural detail and candlelight. It was intended to showcase Morse's skill in capturing complex interior spaces and group portraits.
Did you know?
Samuel Morse, primarily known as the inventor of the telegraph, created this ambitious painting hoping to achieve fame as a history painter. Despite his painstaking efforts to include over 80 individual portraits, the painting was a commercial failure when exhibited, leading him to eventually abandon his career as a professional artist to focus on his inventions.
On your wall. Unlock the 4K download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
The House of Representatives
Samuel Morse, 1822
