Thomas Jefferson represents the essence of democracy as he proudly clutches The Declaration of Independence, which he largely penned, in this full-length statue. The original work that immortalizes one of our nation's Founding Fathers was commissioned by an Act of Congress for the United States Capitol. In terms of fame and financial success, Hiram Powers was the dominant American Sculptor of the ninteeneth century, blending classical idealism, physical idealism, and appealing subject matter with moral overtones.