This is now the central portion of the pediment over the east entrance to the senate wing of the capitol, called the "progress of civilization" (see here on aoc. Gov and here, also on aoc. Gov) which was made by thomas crawford. That portion does represent "america", although these days at least the specific "genius of america" title seems to be the name of the pediment over the central east entrance of the capitol, done years earlier than that (see here). The back of the card does not capitalize "genius" though. Apparently, the statues were done well before the portion of the capitol was completed, and (per the abridgment. Containing the annual message of the president of the united states to the two houses of congress. With reports of departments and selections from accompanying papers, volume 93, issues 2-859 (1860)) most of the other parts were set up in the statuary hall portion of the capitol, but that part was too big so it was set up on a pedestal in the "eastern park". I presume that was on the capitol grounds. Getty images has another photo of it here: that looks like one of these photos exactly. Corbis has an image of the assembled pediment before it got raised up. Apparently the pediment was installed in 1863, so that is the outer limit for these photos. The back of the stereo card has the long caption: this really beautiful work of art, designed by the lamented crawford, represents the genius of america, behind which the rising sun typifies youth and prosperity. It is intended for the centre of the pediment of the north wing of the capitol, washington, while on either side will be arranged figured emblematic of the mechanic, the pioneer, the soldier, youth, education, commerce, the hunter and the indian chief and his family, the whole designed by the same able hand, and executed in american marble, by italian artists resident in washington. Together these groups will form a triumph of art worthy the country the capital of which they are to adorn. Washington through two centuries has a map depicting the 1860 state of the city, and does show a statue in the park, aligned with the capitol dome and close to the street (east first street), [but it turns out] that was where horatio greenough's statue of washington was from 1843 to 1908 (see here (on the smithsonian site) for info on the statue, and here (on the loc site), here (ditto), and here (ditto) for photos of it in place), which is now in the smithsonian. The washington statue was in a similar circular enclosure with an iron fence, but not the same one. At some point it was moved closer to the capitol, see here (loc again). So, not sure precisely where the crawford statue was temporarily located. Two more photos of the crawford statue outdoors here (loc) and here (loc), but still can't get a feel for where it is. - (lightly edited from remarks by user:clindberg, originally made at user talk:jmabel/stereo cards of washington, d. C. ). Date: Created: 1859-1905. Coverage: 1859?-1905?. Source Imprint: 1859?-1863?.. Collection: New York Public Library.
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