France / 1654
The Kiss of Peace and Justice
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs The Kiss of Peace and Justice as painting (France · 1654).
While the figures of Peace and Justice may refer to Psalm 85:10, the peaceful, pastoral landscape is described in Psalm 85:12.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as oil on canvas and credits Laurent de La Hyre (French, 1606–1656).
The museum's collection notes: The figures of Peace (burning the weapons of war) and Justice (holding a sword and scales) embrace in a quiet landscape. The Latin inscription under the antique urn reads “Justice and Peace kissed” (referring to an Old Testament verse, Psalms 85:10). The subject may have had political significance: the painting’s date coincides with the end of the Fronde, a period of civil war in France during which the parlement (courts of appeal) and the nobility sought—unsuccessfully—to limit the power of the monarchy
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtThe Kiss of Peace and JusticeOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.