Justice c. 19th century

Curator: This is Carlo Pestrini's "Justice", held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought? That ostrich is the most anxious looking bird I've ever seen! The whole scene feels a bit staged, almost like a theatrical production. Curator: The presence of the ostrich is not accidental. During that time, the ostrich symbolized justice, truth and knowledge. Editor: Huh, learn something new every day. Still, it's a strange companion for Lady Justice, who looks quite serene holding her scales. The scales seem to have a calming effect, don't you agree? Curator: It's a powerful, albeit somewhat unusual, depiction of Justice. It speaks to the cultural values and symbolic language that were prevalent during its creation. Editor: Well, whether the ostrich is feeling anxious or not, it has me thinking about how we interpret justice in our own time. What symbols would we use today?