The Kiss of Peace and Justice, Laurent de La Hyre, 1654

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 85:11). 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. Object Type: painting. Date: 1654. Place of creation: France, 17th century. Dimensions: Framed: 68.5 x 89 x 6.5 cm (26 15/16 x 35 1/16 x 2 9/16 in.); Unframed: 54.9 x 76.2 cm (21 5/8 x 30 in.). Medium: oil on canvas. Collection: Cleveland Museum of Art. Laurent de La Hyre - The Kiss of Peace and Justice - 1971.102 - Cleveland Museum of Art