City Attorney’s Office Mural – Burbank CA

Description

Between 1942 and 1943, Bartholomew de Mako created the mural “Justice” for Burbank City Hall under the auspices of the Works Projects Administration (WPA) Art Program. The mural is now displayed in the lobby of the City Attorney’s Office.

“Set against the background of the capitol in Washington D.C., we see justice holding the scales in her left hand and an American flag in the right. Beneath her are six figures representing the diverse group of citizens who benefit from our impartial system of jurisprudence. Recently restored, the brilliant pallette jumps off the canvas. Burbank officials are to be commended for rescuing this beautiful work of art” (see Clarke, “Hugo Ballin’s Burbank City Hall Mural”).

Mako’s other FAP works in the region include bas reliefs (1938) at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, CA; a frieze (1938) at the Lou Henry Hoover School of Fine Arts in Whittier, CA; and a set of bas reliefs (1941) for City Hall in Burbank, CA.

Note: The Works Progress Administration Federal Arts Project (WPA-FAP) was renamed the Work Projects Administration Art Program in 1939.