{"id":651,"date":"2016-03-29T12:56:42","date_gmt":"2016-03-29T16:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com\/?p=651"},"modified":"2019-12-17T10:34:13","modified_gmt":"2019-12-17T15:34:13","slug":"rotunda-and-grand-staircase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com\/rotunda-and-grand-staircase\/","title":{"rendered":"Rotunda and Grand Staircase"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Rotunda features a cove ceiling topped by a double, 42 ft. skylight rising above the floor. The skylight not only acted as a natural light source but was essential in the original 19th<\/sup> century ventilation system. LeGrand Lockwood, a great patron of the arts, used the Rotunda to display his collection of paintings and statuary.<\/p>\n The most notable item in his collection was Albert Bierstadt<\/strong>\u2019s Domes of the Yosemite<\/em>, which he reportedly commissioned for $25,000 of the day. After Lockwood\u2019s death in 1872, the painting was purchased at auction by Horace Fairbanks<\/strong> on behalf of the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum to add to their collection, where it remains to this day. The Rotunda originally contained four leather-upholstered, carved and inlaid walnut settees by the Herter Brothers<\/strong>. Each settee featured a different motif, illustrating the passions and interests of the Lockwoods. The settee also incorporated many of the decorative designs found throughout the Mansion, making them fully customized to the house. Of the four settees, two–representing Music and Art & Architecture–returned to the Mansion through generous donations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>