Tom Lydon (American, B. 1944) "Sculpture of "Hope"" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 23c Official Mail stamp issued May 24, 1991. Americans have always been optimists. Men of vision and confidence built the country in the early years and similar men continue to improve upon the original. The "hope" for a better day is what drives Americans toward success. On the East Pediment of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., Hope herself stands nine feet high, symbolizing the quality that made the United States great. Part of a sculpted mural which includes Justice and America, Hope is the anchor of all that motivates Americans. Appropriately, Hope leans on an anchor. The overall theme of the sculpted mural is that America cultivates justice, but strives for success. Hope was carved from sandstone by Luigi Persico in 1825-28 at the urging of U.S. President John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States. For almost a century and a half, the sculpture withstood the elements, but rain and wind took their toll on the easily-eroded sandstone. In 1959, the Capitol was remodeled and extended; the sculptures were restored by Carl Schmitz, a plaster model made, and replicas carved in pure Georgia White marble by Bruno Mankowski. The length of the pediment is over eighty feet. The original sandstone crafted by Persico is in storage, but the beautiful marble reproductions stand for all who visit the seat of the nation's government to see. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 20 x 14.75 in. Unframed. (B13210) See More