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| View Original: | Second Floor, East Corridor. Mosaic of Minerva by Elihu Vedder within central arched panel leading to the Visitor's Gallery. Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C. LCCN2007684425.tif.tiff (3421x4186) | |||
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| Keywords: Second Floor, East Corridor. Mosaic of Minerva by Elihu Vedder within central arched panel leading to the Visitor's Gallery. Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C. LCCN2007684425.tif 1 photograph digital TIFF file color Notes Forms part of the Library of Congress Series in the Carol M Highsmith Archive ; Exhibit caption Pictured on this mosaic in the arched panel is the Roman Goddess Minerva--guardian of civilization She is portrayed as the Minerva of Peace but according to the artist who created her Elihu Vedder American painter 1836-1923 the peace and prosperity that she enjoys was attained only through warfare A little statue of Nike a representation of Victory similar to those erected by ancient Greeks to commemorate their success in battle stands next to Minerva The figure is a winged female standing on a globe and holding out a laurel wreath victory and palm branch peace to the victors Shield and Helmet Although Minerva's shield and helmet have been laid upon the ground the goddess still holds a long two-headed spear showing that she never relaxes her vigilance against the enemies of the country that she protects Scroll Her attention is directed to an unfolded scroll that she holds in her left hand On this is written a list of various fields of learning such as Architecture Law Statistics Sociology Botany Biography Mechanics Philosophy Zoology etc Minerva is therefore also the Goddess of Learning an activity that can thrive in a peaceful society Owl On Minerva's right is an owl symbolizing wisdom perched upon the post of a low parapet Inscription Beneath the mosaic is an inscription from Horace's Ars Poetica Nil invita Minerva quae monumentum aere perennius exegit and translated as Not unwilling Minerva raises a monument more lasting than bronze Source MyLOC gov Great Hall exhibit 2008 ; Title devised by Library staff 2007 Creator Carol M Highsmith Library of Congress Catalog http //lccn loc gov/2007684425 Image download https //cdn loc gov/master/pnp/highsm/02100/02125a tif Original url http //hdl loc gov/loc pnp/highsm 02125 No known restrictions on publication LOC-image highsm 02125 PD-Highsmith Images uploaded by Fæ Photographs by Carol M Highsmith | ||||