UMVA has learned that the Commission of Fine Arts has given its official seal of approval to a monumental plan proposed by President Trump to erect a Triumphal Arch on the outskirts of Washington, majestically positioned over the Memorial Bridge and directly across from the iconic Lincoln Memorial.
The ambitious blueprint, crafted by the Department of Interior, envisions a grand Triumphal Arch that stands towering at 250 feet tall, proudly adorned with eagles, and crowned with a majestic statue of Lady Liberty. This monumental structure is conceived as a testament to American exceptionalism and a tribute to the nation's 250th birthday celebration this July.
This architectural marvel embodies the spirit of President Trump's vision, asserting that America is unapologetically proud of its greatness and willing to create structures that reflect the nation's stature. The Triumphal Arch also signals a hopeful continuation of the Trump administration's commitment to reviving classical architecture, a movement aimed at reclaiming beauty as a civic value.
The approval of the Triumphal Arch comes on the heels of President Trump's executive order, "Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again," which directs the General Services Administration to ensure that new federal buildings "uplift and beautify public spaces" and "ennoble the United States." This initiative has sparked a renewed debate about the role of beauty in public spaces, with some critics dismissing grand civic monuments as gaudy or even fascistic.
However, proponents argue that public beauty is a fundamental aspect of the nation's republican inheritance and tradition. The Triumphal Arch's design complements the classical architecture of iconic landmarks like the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial, creating a sense of harmony and cohesion in the nation's capital.
In contrast, modernist architecture in Washington, D.C. has been criticized for being ugly, authoritarian, and out of place. Buildings like the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building, the Hubert Humphrey Building, and the HUD building have been described as brutalist disasters, Soviet-era nightmares, and "ten floors of basement," respectively. The Triumphal Arch offers a stark reversal of this message, proclaiming that America is great and unafraid to show it.
The push for classical architecture is not limited to Washington, D.C. A bill aimed at codifying these principles into law has been introduced, seeking to ensure that beautiful buildings like the Triumphal Arch are constructed not only in the nation's capital but also across the country. This effort aims to make classical architecture accessible to all Americans, not just those residing in Washington.
For many, the significance of beautiful architecture is personal. Growing up in a small town, one individual recalled being inspired by the Whitley County Courthouse, a stunning limestone building with a majestic dome that rose above the town square. Such structures serve as testaments to the power of architecture to instill a sense of pride, purpose, and belonging.
The drive to enshrine architectural principles into law underscores a broader aspiration: to create a built environment that reflects the nation's values and endures for generations to come. As the Triumphal Arch takes shape, it stands as a symbol of America's commitment to beauty, greatness, and the ideals that have shaped the nation.
