Page:Woman in Art.djvu/252

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WOMAN IN ART

Divine Law is symbolized by the open book at the face of Truth, half-concealed by interlacing lines of cherubim and bodies terrestrial, and a network of elongated words wherein one finds that the initial letters on the face of Truth here and there are law, and the letters somewhere, following the initials, form Love and Wisdom. An ingenious device. The Law of Nature is represented by a religious procession led by a virgin priestess who pours incense on the altar of libation. Young men follow with pipes and cymbals, patriarchs, the white bull and peacocks follow on. The clustered rays of the sun in its circles and the winged Pegasus bespeak Greek conceptions of the "Golden Age."

Moses amid the lightnings of Sinai accents "Revealed Law" as he carves the Ten Commandments on the second tables of stone. Number seven represents the "Beatitudes," the Christ surrounded by those of a meek and quiet spirit. Rich Byzantine color and detail envelop Justinian and his Code of Reason. He is seen giving thanks in the church of Santa Sophia. Common Law is an apotheosis of Blackstone seated in high dignity against a voluminous library of law books, that of All Souls' College at Oxford.

Coming to modern times, the Law of Nations represents Chief Justice Marshall in the robes of his office, seated in the chair of state; the national capitol is the background, while the sky beyond is spangled with the forty-eight stars of the Union.

The Supreme Court of the state, the Supreme Court of the United States, and the International Court of the World are all significantly portrayed in this magnificent pageant of law. In the more recent panels many portraits of participants within our knowledge give a realism to the sense that we are living in history. "The International Court at The Hague" bears an inscription quoted from Elihu Root: "The civilized world will have to decide whether International Law is to be considered a mere code of etiquette or is to be a real body of law imposing obligations much more definite and inevitable...Nor can we doubt that this will be a different world when peace comes." The painting is of twelve judges seated at the long table, forming an impressive group. The dignity and gravity of the occasion creates its own atmosphere. Above are the splendid stained-glass windows of the Palace of Peace.

The supremacy of the highest law is pictured in "Disarmament," the last of the series. The powerful figure of Christ is walking the waves, while all around him the battle ships sink. His outstretched hands still carry the stig-

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