"Panorama of Washington" by Charles Magnus, circa 1865

This 1865 colored engraving “Panorama of Washington” celebrates George Washington and many important buildings from around the Nation’s capital. This hand colored engraving was published in New York by Charles Magnus, circa 1865. At the top of the work, a portrait of George Washington is flanked by images of Mount Vernon and his tomb. His portrait is surrounded by a panoply of laurel, flags, canons, swords, and drums, encircled by the words, “First in War, First in Peace, and first in the hearts of his Countrymen.” Below Washington’s portrait is an illustration of the Statue of Freedom, the bronze statue commissioned to adorn the new dome of the U.S. Capitol. Interior scenes of the Senate and the House of Representatives are included on either side of the Statue of Freedom. Below, twenty three illustrations of famous D.C. landmarks are arranged in columns, highlighting all Washington has to offer.  These vignette illustrations include the U.S. General Post Office, front of the Capitol,