Rest. Mural in Lunette from the Family and Education Series 1896

Charles Sprague Pearce created this mural titled ‘Rest’ as part of the Family and Education Series. It now resides in the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Pearce, an American expatriate, painted during an era grappling with rapid industrialization and urbanization. Amidst this societal shift, ‘Rest’ offers a counterpoint by presenting a classical, pastoral scene. Two women, draped in classical garbs, pause by a serene landscape. This mural appears to be inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art, and serves as an allegory for peace and contemplation. But who has access to this ‘rest’? The figures are fair skinned, and thus a subtle statement about class and privilege is made. Who gets to rest, who is afforded leisure time, and who is excluded? As we gaze upon this scene, perhaps we can ask ourselves who is included, and who is excluded from such moments of reprieve, and how those lines are drawn in our own time.