The Library of Congress Jefferson Building, a 19th-Century Neo-Baroque Monument

Abstract

The Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress was designed as the national library of the United States; it is also now recognised as a national monument of art. The Baroque embellishments that prevail in the building's architectural composition characterise the Library's style as Neo-Baroque. This style continues a tradition that identifies a significant and vibrant epocl in the architectural history of Western European libraries under different circumstances and on a different continent. While the Jefferson Building's Baroque architecture and decor proclaim its sponsors' national significance and prestige, the symbolism adds a message that is unique to America: the new Nation's vision of its democratic philosophy. The iconography illustrates the principles of the American Public Library Movement that link education to the progress of society. It reflects the 19 th -century brand of American democracy by opening its national library as a institution of learning and advancement open to all its citizens.