Archives – Fall 2012

These paintings by Albert Herter adorn the walls of the Members’ Room of the National Academy of Sciences Building in Washington, D.C. Opened in 1924, the building recently underwent a major two-year restoration project during which time these panels, as well as other works by Herter throughout the building, were restored to their original grandeur. These paintings are two of eight stylized insignia representing historic universities. The age of the figures suggests the relative age of the schools represented. For example, Harvard University, founded in 1636, is represented by a young man, in contrast to the more mature figure representing Cambridge University, established circa 1209.