The Wisconsin statue on the dome was sculpted during 1913–1914 by Daniel Chester French of New York City.

[3] The statue is named Wisconsin, though it is often misidentified as Forward, another statue depicting a feminine personification of the state of Wisconsin that is located on the Capitol grounds at the top of State Street.

French sculpted the 15 foot, five inch, more than three-ton statue in 1914 for a cost of $20,325.

[2][4] This work, Wisconsin, consists of an allegorical figure reminiscent of Athena, dressed in Greek garb, her right arm outstretched to symbolize the state motto, "Forward", and wearing a helmet topped by a badger, the Wisconsin state animal.

[5] The figure's left hand holds a globe with an eagle perched on top.