New York State Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol Interpretive Poster of William de Leftwich Dodge Murals

The Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol produced this poster in conjunction with the 1997 completion of a project undertaken to restore the Governor's Reception Room in the State Capitol. The focal point of the project was the restoration of twenty-five wall and ceiling murals painted by William deLeftwich Dodge during the period from 1920 to 1925. These artworks, considered to be excellent examples of the American mural painting tradition, had fallen victim to severe flaking and fading before the Williamstown Regional Art Conservation Laboratory performed restoration and stabilization.

Dodge's depictions of Native Americans, as well as certain military references in the murals, are historically inaccurate. According to the Commission on the Restoration of the Capitol, no documentation has been discovered that would explain Dodge's intentions, leaving many questions regarding the murals unanswered.

The poster features a vivid, full-color, two-dimensional reproduction of the wall and ceiling murals arranged precisely as they appear in the Governor's Reception Room. Accompanying the reproduction is a key that provides detailed explanations and interpretations of each of the individual murals. The central panel on the ceiling features a goddess of both war and peace that Dodge referred to as the "Goddess of Harmony" and the "Spirit of New York." Surrounding the central figure are ceiling murals that depict the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy and the struggles of New York's Native American and European settlers. Ringing the ceiling murals are wall murals that trace the military history of New York State from the colonial period to World War I. These murals depict major battles, naval engagements, and military leaders. Also included is an image of the Unknown Soldier.

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