Greek Italian artist Constantine Brumidi was one of the most influential artists that ever worked at the Capitol building in Washington. Brumidi was born in Rome, but his father was a Greek from Filiatra in the province of Messinia, Greece, while his mother was Italian. He showed his talent for fresco painting at an early age and painted in several Roman palaces, among them being that of Prince Torlonia. Under Gregory XVI he worked for three years in the Vatican.

The occupation of Rome by French forces in 1849 apparently persuaded Brumidi to emigrate, having joined the short-lived risorgimental Roman Republic, and he sailed for the United States, where he became a naturalized citizen in 1852.

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Source: http://usa.greekreporter.com