Décor de fronton c. 19th century

Alexandre Cabanel's Décor de fronton features a classical scene sketched in graphite, dominated by the figure of Justice, blindfolded and surrounded by allegorical figures. Her blindfold represents impartiality, a symbol that dates back to ancient Roman depictions of Fortuna. This motif has an enduring power, appearing throughout the Renaissance and beyond. Consider how Justice is portrayed in illuminated manuscripts, often holding scales, yet always blindfolded. This gesture is not merely a symbol; it is a potent visual tool engaging our collective memory. It evokes a psychological response, triggering associations with fairness and objectivity. The enduring presence of such symbols reveals our culture’s deep-seated need for order and moral balance, continually reimagined across centuries.