THEME: FAITH IN AMERICA’S FUTURE

“Faith in America’s Future” commemorates the United States’ perseverance and unity and marks the sesquicentennial year of the placement of the Statue of Freedom atop the new Capitol Dome in 1863. When the Civil War threatened to bring construction of the Dome to a halt, workers pressed onward, even without pay, until Congress approved additional funding to complete the Dome that would become a symbol of unity and democracy to the entire world.

ABOUT THE INAUGURAL PAINTING

Niagara Falls, a painting by Ferdinand Richardt, is a panoramic view of the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls at Niagara, capturing the sweep of the river.

In the foreground, the sidewheeler Maid-of-the-Mist can be seen navigating the rapids. Completed at a time when America’s history as an independent nation was not yet a century old, Richardt’s painting symbolized to Americans of that era the grandeur, power, and possibility of America.

A Danish artist, Richardt (1819-1895) came to America in 1855. He is best known for his depictions of Niagara Falls and composed this painting in 1856 as the seventeenth in a series. The New York Evening Post proclaimed it to be one of the most accurate views of Niagara Falls ever exhibited. The painting, displayed above the head table, was loaned by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Presidential and Vice Presidential Gifts

The President and Vice President are presented with gifts by the Congress on behalf of the American people. For the 7th consecutive Inauguration, Lenox Corporation has created the official Inaugural gifts—etched crystal vases.

The images of the United States Capitol and White House are hand cut and etched into the crystal. The crystal bases on which the vases sit are inscribed “Barack H. Obama, January 21, 2013, the Presidential Inaugural” and “Joseph R. Biden, January 21, 2013, the Vice-Presidential Inaugural”.

 President Obama will receive the vase depicting the White House and Vice President Biden will receive the vase depicting the United States Capitol. The bowls were designed by Timothy Carder and hand-cut by master glass cutter Peter O’Rourke.

ENTERTAINMENT

Eastman String Quartet

The string quartet that performed at the 2013 Inaugural Luncheon was composed of students from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. These talented young musicians have performed in a number of ensembles before audiences in the United States and abroad.