Splendid Hall
Growth of a Young Nation
The House of Representatives is composed of popularly elected Members representing districts in each state. These districts are reapportioned every ten years, after the census. Until 1914, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives were the only Federal officials elected directly by the people.
When the Old House Chamber was completed in 1807, there were 17 states in the Union. Fourteen new states were admitted to the Union during the 50 years the House met here. The size of the House increased from 145 seats, representing 17 states and three territories, to 241 seats, representing 31 states and seven territories.
The rural setting of the Capital City circa 1841 is evident in this view of the Capitol from the northeast. In a letter to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, dated July 12, 1812, Thomas Jefferson described the Capitol as "worthy of the first temple dedicated to the sovereignty of the people, embellishing with Athenian taste the course of a Nation looking far beyond the range of Athenian destinies."
U.S. Capitol, circa 1841 Christopher Pearse Cranch (1813-1893) U.S. Capitol Art Collection, Gift of the United States Capitol Historical Society.
The painting depicts the U.S. Capitol prior to the addition of the House and Senate wings. There are a few buildings behind the Capitol, and a grassy pasture on the hill in the center of the painting. The sun appears to be hidden behind gray clouds. The Potomac can be seen in the distance and there are trees on either edge of the painting.
