the statuary group is in an arrangement known as a "quadriga", consisting of a chariot pulled by four horses. three human figures: two women and a man are included. the sculpture, made by daniel chester french and edward clark potter, was completed and raised to the roof of the capitol in 1906. the underlying armature is steel covered in copper. the exterior copper surface is gilded in gold leaf. this quadriga is unusual in that it sits atop a building's portico, rather than upon a triumphal arch like most others.