Earlier this week, House & Senate leaders held a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in honor of Constantino Brumidi for his many artistic contributions to the Capitol and the nation.

Brumidi spent nearly 30 years decorating the United States Capitol. But in 1855, before he painted the Apotheosis of George Washington and the Frieze of American History, Brumidi submitted what was essentially a “job application” – an oil sketch of the Calling of Cincinnatus from the Plow. He painted it in what is now room H-144 -- then just a regular office, today another example of Brumidi’s genius.

Watch Farar Elliott, House Curator and Chief of the Office of Art and Archives, walk us through this painting, its meaning, and how it helped land Brumidi the job for which he was honored by Congress this week.