The Kiss of Peace and Justice

1654

Laurent de La Hyre

(French, 1606–1656)

Culture

France, 17th century

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

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.)

Credit Line

John L. Severance Fund 1971.102

You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Location

212 Baroque Painting and Sculpture

Did You Know?

While the figures of Peace and Justice may refer to Psalm 85:10, the peaceful, pastoral landscape is described in Psalm 85:12.

Description

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