568
THE GREEN BAG
form of war, wherein strict law, and no longer ethical justice, is the theme." Of these decorations "Moral and Divine Law" and "The Relation of the Individual to the State," are finished and in their set ting. Related in color and treatment as they are, they are in great contrast —• one dramatic, full of supreme power, the other a quieter theme of mental power. "Moral and Divine Law " has all the impressiveness of an awful moment. Clouds surround the mountain, and from the crev ices in the rocks and the deep abyss on the left, clouds of vapor rise, tinged red and
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and the Grecian qualities the artist desired to put into it — serenity and good nature. He describes the circumstances thus: "Soc rates has gone down from Athens to Piraeus because he wanted to see in what way they would celebrate the festival of Bendis, the' Thracian Artemis, which is a new thing. After the procession and the prayers, as he turns with a friend in the direction of the city — Polemarchus, the son of a wealthy citizen, detains him, asking him to spend the day and later to see the races and other festivities. Socrates accepts and goes to his friend's residence and remains in conversa-
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THE RECORDING OF PRECEDENTS (Copyright, 1904, by John La Farge)
violet. Moses against a background of cloud, surrounded by a golden effulgence, kneels in utmost reverence and awe. At the right Joshua in a robe of dull red and yellowish-green loin cloth, warns the people away. Aaron in neutral reds and blues kneels beside Joshua, awed and fearful. The whole effect is somber, yet filled with a light unearthly. Mr. La Farge made the studies for the painting from actual experi ence in a volcano, and from photographs of eruptions in the Carribbean Islands. On the other hand, "The Relation of the Individual to the State " is full of sunlight
tion with the two sons and the father and various other guests and friends who come in and out throughout the story." In the representation, Socrates, a digni fied figure in gray, is standing talking; at his side in brilliant red is presumably Pole marchus. Another guest, the sophist Thrasymachus, sits in a position of indo lent interest, ready to interrupt should the opportunity come. A slave girl at the right listens eagerly, her tambourine in hand, evidently a participant in the festivi ties just over. In the background a chari oteer drives hi 5 horses over the hill. The
