Charles James Mulligan, “Working Model for Law and Knowledge,” Plaster, c. 1915

This served as a working model for one of the large sculptural groups at the north entrance of the Illinois Supreme Court Building in Springfield. The composition depicts two classical figures, one standing and one seated. The standing figure stands on the viewer’s left. The figure is angled about 45 degrees to the inside and is flanked on the right by an owl — perched on a small pile of books. This figure’s left arm rests on a large book which is balanced on the back of the chair supporting the seated figure. The chair and seated figure are rotated 90 degrees toward the outside of the sculpture. Together, the human figures hold a very long parchment scroll that is still rolled at both ends. The seated figure is holds the scroll in its left hand. The unrolled parchment drapes across the figure’s lap and almost touches the ground. The standing figure has part of the scroll draped across its right arm, with the rolled up end resting near the owl. This piece is the counterpart to Justice and Power.