The Atlantic, Nude Study for "The Marriage of the Atlantic and Pacific," Mural in the Senate Chamber in the Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison, WI

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Kenyon Cox, a leading figure in the American Renaissance movement, created this 1915 nude study as part of his preparations for a grand mural in the Wisconsin State Capitol. Known for his commitment to classical ideals and academic training, Cox often drew from Renaissance and Baroque traditions to celebrate themes of progress and unity in public spaces. This preparatory work captures the figure of the Atlantic, intended for the larger composition “The Marriage of the Atlantic and Pacific” that adorned the Senate Chamber. The mural itself commemorates the 1914 opening of the Panama Canal, symbolizing the historic joining of two great oceans and America’s growing role on the world stage. As a study, the drawing reveals Cox’s meticulous approach to anatomy and pose, allowing him to refine the graceful, allegorical figure before transferring it to the final wall painting. Such preparatory works offer visitors a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the monumental decorations that defined early twentieth-century civic architecture. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum through a generous gift from the artist’s son Allyn Cox, this piece underscores the enduring importance of mural art in shaping national identity and public memory.