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US Supreme Court Building by Cass Gilbert

By Jackie Craven, About.com Guide

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The US Supreme Court Building: East Pediment

East Pediment of the US Supreme Court Building

East Pediment of the US Supreme Court Building

Photo by Flickr Member Jeff Kubina
The sculptures in the eastern pediment of the US Supreme Court Building were carved by Herman A. McNeil. At the center are three great lawmakers:
  • Moses
  • Confucius
  • Solon

These figures are flanked by figures that symbolize ideas:

  • Means of Enforcing the Law
  • Tempering Justice with Mercy
  • Carrying on Civilization
  • Settlement of Disputes Between States
Herman A. MacNeil's pediment carvings stirred controversy because the central figures were drawn from religious traditions. However, in the 1930s, the Supreme Court Building Commission did not question the wisdom of placing Moses, Confucius, and Solon on a secular government building. Rather, they trusted in the architect, who deferred to the artistry of the sculptor, Herman A. MacNeil.

MacNeil didn't intend his sculptures to have religious connotations. Explaining his work, MacNeil wrote, "Law as an element of civilization was normally and naturally derived or inherited in this country from former civilizations. The 'Eastern Pediment' of the Supreme Court Building suggests therefore the treatment of such fundamental laws and precepts as are derived from the East."

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