He had in mind fifteen historical scenes planned to cover fifteen divisions of the frieze and from his file of letters we know how desperately he worked to finish these frescoes before sickness should compel him to lay aside his brush. The following four short letters to the Architect of the Capitol during Brumidi’s last months show the heroic effort made by the artist to complete his frieze:
Washington, D. C., October 15, 1878
“I have returned at home, having improved enough and I am translating in large proportion the cartoon of Pocahontas, and if Monday the plasterer is ready to proceed with the panel of DeSoto I desire to go on in that work, if my health will permit me, as I hope.”
C. Brumidi
Washington, D. C., December 27, 1878
“In this very cold weather I am compelled to suspend the work in the Rotunda where
WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE
Another lunette painted by Brumidi high on the walls of the old Senate Committee Room on Military Affairs was named by Brumidi, “Washington at Valley Forge.” This portrayal of our Revolutionary General was evidently painted with these words of Washington in mind: “We have this day no less than 2,873 men in camp unfit for duty because they are barefooted and otherwise naked ... numbers are still obliged to sit all night by fires.” (December 23, 1777.) Could the two soldiers with Washington be Brumidi’s conception of Baron Steuben and Lafayette?