Thomas Jefferson, famous for being the father of the Declaration of Independence, is not usually associated with design or architecture. Despite being associated with the government, Jefferson was a true renaissance man and self-studied architectural orders with his primary inspirations being ancient Greece and Rome. Jefferson re-imaged ancient architectural standards in order to showcase the United States' classical literacy and innovative spirit. For example, in the Capitol building, Jefferson used the Corinthian order as a focal point for the entrance. Though the Corinthian style was referenced, Jefferson changed them to reflect the new nation. Instead of acanthus leaves, the standard ancient design, Jefferson used both corn and tobacco leaves on the capitals. Both tobacco leaves and corn were new world plants and by using them to decorate the columns, Jefferson is highlighting the seemingly endless potential of American agriculture.
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