- State:
- WASHINGTON-DC
- Site Type:
- Art Works, Murals
- New Deal Agencies:
- Arts Programs, Treasury Section of Fine Arts (TSFA)
- Artist:
- Leon Kroll
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The New Deal is responsible for a magnificent array of artworks that embellish the Department of Justice building. The Treasury Section of Fine Arts commissioned artists to create 68 murals between 1936 and 1941 for $68,000, or one percent of the building cost.
Leon Kroll painted two very large lunettes, “Justice Triumphant” and “Justice Defeated”, in 1936.
“In Justice Triumphant, two figures symbolize justice: a woman, and a black-robed Judge who is portrayed by Justice Harlan Stone. Justice Defeated represents the tragedy and havoc caused by the absence of justice. The atmosphere is dark, with dead trees, a threatening sky, and a barren landscape. Here, justice is symbolized by the woman: she has been over whelmed by the black-robed figure. The figure holds a mask with a serene ex pression, but behind that mask, we can see his true face, which is cold, cruel and vicious.” (GSA)
Kroll’s murals are located in the Attorney General’s conference room.
Source notes
Site originally submitted by New Deal Art Registry on December 30, 2014.
Additional contributions by Richard A Walker.
At this Location:
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Jennewein Sculptural Elements - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Sterne Murals - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Ballator Mural - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Curry Murals - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Biddle Frescoes - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Shimin Mural - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Bouché Mural - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Poor Frescoes - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Bisttram Mural - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice: Robinson Murals - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Completion - Washington DC
- Kennedy Department of Justice Building: Jennewein Statues - Washington DC
View all sites at Department of Justice - Washington DC (13 Sites)
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