Artists have long been captivated by Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, often referred to as the “Castle on the River.” I discovered this while guest curating the upcoming exhibition honoring the 175th anniversary of the iconic building. Designed by architect William Dakin in the 1850s in what he called “Castellated Gothic” style, the building resembles a medieval fortress with crenulated turrets and parapets, colorful stained-glass, and a cast-iron spiral staircase. Full of surprises, the interior is adorned with decorative embellishments; even the door handles are ornamented! While this over-the-top style is not pleasing to everyone—Mark Twain famously described it in 1883 as “the ugliest thing on the Mississippi”—the architecture inspires limitless possibilities for imaginative exploration.
Opening August 21, the “Contemporary Views” exhibition will feature work made by over twenty recognized Louisiana artists celebrating the brilliant ingenuity and enduring legacy of this historic edifice. Paintings, prints, and photographs as well as jewelry, garments, and even a chair will remain on view through September 20. The majority will be newly created and never-before exhibited, and many will be available for purchase.
Heather Ryan Kelly, Quatrefoil Window, 2025, oil on canvas, 16 in. diameter. Image courtesy of the artist.
A Sneak Peek
Works to be featured in the exhibit will include the above oil painting by Baton Rouge’s Heather Ryan Kelly, inspired by the Old State Capitol’s quatrefoil-shaped windows. Imbuing a heavenly aura, a serene blue sky is glimpsed beyond the four-leaf-clover-like pane held within a circular frame. The harmonious design element is repeated throughout the building’s décor.
MIMOSA Handcrafted, Old State Capitol Jewelry Collection, 2025, 14K-gold. Image courtesy of MIMOSA Handcrafted.
Similarly, Louisiana artist-jeweler Madeline Ellis was taken by the symmetry of the quatrefoil pattern as well as the patterns created by the framework of the elongated stained-glass windows and crown-like notches that adorn the parapets. Her passion for this architecture became so intense that she launched the Old State Capitol Collection for her Mimosa Handcrafted brand, an assortment of pendants, earrings, bracelets, and rings fashioned in 14K-gold.
Becky Fos, Capitol Kaleidoscope, 2025 (original 2023), canvas print, 48 x 48 in. Image courtesy of the artist and Gallery B. Fos.
Perhaps the most popular feature of the Castle on the River is its huge Gothic stained-glass ceiling. Dakin himself chose the colors azure, amber, gold, and carnelian. New Orleans painter Becky Fos adeptly captures the ceiling’s kaleidoscopic effect and luminous hues. Her painting was so well-received that she subsequently created a limited edition of fine art prints.
Philip Gould, Old State Capitol and Public Library, Baton Rouge, 2020, archival inkjet print. Image courtesy of the artist and LeMieux Galleries.
Connecting the past with the present, Philip Gould’s photograph demonstrates the Old State Capitol’s stately presence in the “heart of Baton Rouge.” The 1850s building is metaphorically linked to the new 2020 buildout of the Public Library by virtue of The Crest, the dramatic cantilevered steel canopy of the Town Center stage. Our old castellated capitol building may be 175 years old, yet it remains an exceptional architectural jewel and an emblem of our shared local and Louisiana identity.
To learn more about the “Contemporary Views” exhibit, visit louisianaoldstatecapitol.org/explore/exhibits-events
