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Fig. 9b. Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way, Emanuel Leutze, 1862 ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL occupies the west staircase in the House wing of the Capitol (figs. 9a, 9b). With regard to The Battle of Lake Erie, we can surmise that Powell concurred with Leutze's assertion that "the anecdote should not be the subject [of the image], but the means of conveying some clear idea, which is to be the inspiration of the picture." 24 Subject to what would now be termed "artistic license," detail and anecdote become the means to a larger end rather than an end in themselves. For example, it is known that Perry took with him to the Niagara his battle flag—which is clearly visible in other images of his transfer (fig. 10a, 10b)—rather than the American flag that flew on the Lawrence. So why did Powell make the Stars and Stripes a central feature of his painting? 25 While perhaps recalling Francis Scott Key's composing of The Star Spangled Banner during the War of 1812, the more direct reference at the time of the painting's commissioning in 1865 was surely to the recent Union victory in the Civil War and the reuniting of the nation under one flag. As for the inclusion of Alexander Perry, the boy's distraught expression and frantic gesture, echoed by the African-American oarsman behind him, serve to emphasize his brother's bravery in the face of danger by calling attention to his refusal to "avoid the terrible exposure of which he seems unaware . . . collar loose, hair flying in the breeze, and brave heart absorbed in the fight . . . he has sprung into the boat to save the day." 26 Like other aspects of The Battle of Lake Erie's form and content, Powell's emphasis on Perry's heroism and determi- nation recalls one of the most iconic and widely-known paintings of his era, Washington Crossing the Delaware. 27 Most obviously, both are large-scale, epic, complex multi-figure composi- tions that literally and figuratively elevate the subjects they picture. Reflecting Fig. 10a. This portrait of Oliver Hazard Perry (John Wesley Jarvis, 1816) hangs in New York City Hall. Perry's battle flag flutters over his arm. PHOTOGRAPH BY GLENN CASTELLANO, COLLECTION OF THE PUBLIC DESIGN COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK 19 THE CAPITOL DOME