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State Protecting the Family by Carl Paul Jennewein
Photo CreditCarol M. Highsmith Photography
State Protecting the Family
Photo CreditCarol M. Highsmith Photography

State Protecting the Family

Artist
Year1933
Classification sculpture
Medium painted plaster
Dimensions72 × 52 in. (182.9 × 132.1 cm)
Credits Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Location
  • Based on classical myths and acts of justice, the four ceiling bas-reliefs, or low reliefs, were designed by Carl Paul Jennewein and executed by Anthony di Lorenzo. In his four reliefs, Jennewein employs Greek mythology and other symbolic devices to highlight virtues, such as heroism, wisdom, and impartiality, as essential qualities in the pursuit of justice. In 1933, they were installed on the first floor of the U.S. Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C. In State Protecting the Family, Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, hands a blindfold to the Greek hero Perseus, who presents her with the head of Medusa. According to Greek mythology, Medusa had poisonous snakes for hair, and anyone who met her gaze turned to stone. By handing Perseus a blindfold, Athena directs him to cover the dangerous eyes of Medusa. The blindfold carries special significance as a symbol of Justice, who is often shown blindfolded to demonstrate her fairness.