Room with a view: See inside and outside Wisconsin's Capitol dome
It's not every day that we get up close and personal with Wisconsin's Capitol dome. But over the years, State Journal photographers have gotten chances to do just that. So we thought we'd dig into our archives and show you what it's like up there. Here are some of the most interesting photos taken inside -- and outside -- the dome.
Capitol Dome exterior
The state Capitol dome in Madison on April 17, 2017.
Looking up at the dome
Inner dome coffers, or recessed panels, in the ceiling get smaller toward the top of the dome, adding to the sense of height. The circular opening at the top, known as an oculus, frames "Resources of Wisconsin," with its cherubic characters offering up such treasures as lead, copper and fruit in this January 2017 photo.
Capitol renovations
A tour group gets a close-up view of the "Resources of Wisconsin" painting, done by artist Edwin Howland-Blashfield, on the inner dome, or ceiling of the rotunda, at the Capitol on April 8, 2016.
Looking at the dome from the first floor
Looking up from the Capitol’s first-floor rotunda, the symbolic center of the state, the inner dome is about 200 feet away. That little red circle in the crown is a 34-foot diameter masterpiece, “Resources of Wisconsin,” by Edwin Howland Blashfield. It was photographed on Jan. 26, 2017.
View of rotunda
A view of the rotunda from the inner dome of the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison on April 8, 2016.
View of ceiling of the rotunda
A view looking down at the ceiling of the rotunda, bottom, inside the state Capitol dome in Madison on April 8, 2016.
Looking down from the Oculus Deck
Looking down toward the first floor of the capitol from the Oculus Deck, in this photo from May 2010.
Spiral staircase in the dome
This spiral staircase, shown in this May 2010 photo, is above the mural atop the interior of the Capitol dome and leads to the exterior lantern deck. It is one of two spiral staircases needed to access the upper reaches of the the state's best-known building.
View from top of dome
A view from the top of the Capitol dome in Madison on April 8, 2016.
Inside the dome
A view from inside the top of the dome at the state Capitol in Madison on April 8, 2016.
View from top of dome
A view from the top of the Capitol dome in Madison on April 8, 2016.
View of East Washington Avenue
A view looking toward East Washington Avenue from the top of state Capitol dome in Madison on April 8, 2016.
View of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
A view looking toward Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from the top of the Capitol dome in Madison on April 8, 2016.
View of "Resources of Wisconsin"
A close-up view of the "Resources of Wisconsin" painting, done by artist Edwin Howland-Blashfield, on the inner dome, or ceiling of the rotunda, at the Wisconsin Capitol in Madison on April 8, 2016. The woman in the center represents Wisconsin and holds a sheaf of wheat, symbolizing the state's agriculture. She is surrounded by other women who are holding products from the state, including grapes, lead, copper, tobacco and fruit.
Rappel down the dome
Workers rappel down the Capitol dome in Madison as they survey the structure on Oct. 17, 2017.
Supermoon behind the dome
A so-called "supermoon" ascends in the sky Nov. 14, 2016, behind the Wisconsin State Capitol dome as seen from the campus of UW-Madison.
Capitol dome bathed in green
The dome of Wisconsin's state Capitol building in Madison is illuminated green and gold on Jan. 31, 2011, in celebration of the Green Bay Packers playing in Super Bowl XLV.
It's not every day that we get up close and personal with Wisconsin's Capitol dome. But over the years, Wisconsin State Journal photographers have gotten chances to do just that. Here are some of our most interesting photos taken inside — and outside — the dome.
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