Music & Architecture

Music

Music is represented by a female figure clothed in flowing garments. In the act of playing, her left hand holds a violin; the bow in her right. She is crowned with a laurel wreath.

Architecture

Architecture is portrayed with the architect resting one arm atop a column capital, balancing a drawing tablet with the design of the Greek Antae on his lap, and holding a compass in his left hand. Behind him is a smaller relief sculpture of the pediment of a Greek Temple.

Geology & Painting

Geology

Absorbed in his work, Geology sits at a site positioned in front of a mass of rock. He holds a hammer in his right hand, and closely examines a found specimen in his left.

Painting

The artist is depicted at her craft, seated before an easel cradling the palette in her left arm, a brush in the right hand. Behind her is a potted fern.

Mechanics & Electricity

Mechanics

Mechanics has been seated among his tools. His feet rest on an anvil and the left hand holds a pinion. Resting, his right arm supports him on a vice, and in his hand he holds a file. A square and compass occupy the background of the scene.

Electricity

This female nude represents Electricity. In her hands she holds a cord that appears connected to the clouds; drawing the power to earth and transmitting it to the machinery below.

Botany & Surveying

Botany

A maiden clothed in a casual draping represents Botany. Trailing vines and delicate flowers surround her. She has been captured here, intently studying a rose.

Surveying

Seated in front of a scene depicting a Roman Aqueduct, a man is the chosen representative of Surveying. He holds a detail drawing in his lap, his left hand wields an old Roman leveling device. Near his right arm the survey target has been placed.

Enlightenment & Agriculture

Enlightenment

Presented in a casual stance, Enlightenment holds a book in his left hand, and in his right hand he holds a torch. This sculpture bears a similarity to the Statue of Liberty and suggests knowledge as the path to enlightenment.

Agriculture

Agriculture is engaged in the act of harvesting. He bears a sickle in his right hand, and is seated among the sheaves of wheat.

History & Study

History

The young man representing History has been placed atop an hourglass, possibly suggesting that History is victory over Time. He is engaged scribing a tablet with Greek letters.

"SINE IBA ET STUDIO"

History’s inscription reads "SINE IRA ET STVDIO." One interpretation suggests: "Without prejudice but with zeal."

Study

Here a female figure, embraced by the graceful folds of her gown, is the icon for Study. Diligently reading her book, Study is perched atop several more volumes.

Fiction & Poetry

Fiction

A small child is standing on a footstool, obviously engaged with the stories of Fiction. The old woman, with one hand on a crutch, exemplifies her point with her outstretched finger. Over her shoulder sits a raven. She is seated with a "pot of mystery" at her feet.

Poetry

We recognize Homer as the chosen bard to represent Poetry. In his left hand he holds a harp – in his right, a scroll. His feet rest upon a column capital.

Astronomy & Philosophy

Astronomy

Astronomy is seated with an hourglass and a globe. He gazes out into the distance through his telescope. In his left hand he holds a pair of dividers.

Philosophy

Socrates, his hand held high in the process of an explanation, has been chosen as the representation of Philosophy. He bears a scroll on his lap, his feet rest on a pedestal supported by an owl – the symbol of wisdom, and an ancient lamp lights his place.

Justice & Entomology

Justice

This female figure representing Justice holds the Scales of Justice in her left hand and the Sword to Execute in her right. Her face presents a suggestion of sternness not found in the other sculptures.

Entomology

An older man represents Entomology. The scientist is shown carefully examining the butterfly specimen through his microscope. Lighting his desktop, an ancient oil lamp has been placed.

Entomology Studies the Butterfly

Archaeology & Medicine

Archaeology

Positioned with his foot on a rock, one hand on the head of the Sphinx, and the other carefully holding an artifact, the archaeologist is engaged with his vocation. Behind him, a collection of pottery has been displayed.

Medicine

A female figure has been chosen as the personification of Medicine, and a serpent represents disease. Medicine holds a bowl containing the remedy in her left hand while her right hand controls the serpents’ head – forcing it into the bowl.

Comedy & Ethnology

Comedy

The smiling female represents Comedy. Perched with her elbow resting on the comic mask, the folds of her dress drape her figure with a casual grace.

Ethnology

Ethnology is the branch of anthropology that deals with the comparative cultures of various peoples. Here the man is portrayed engaged in the first efforts of civilized man – the crafting of rude, clay vessels. His setting includes a stone wall, other vessels, and a clay idol.

Sculpture & Tragedy

Sculpture

Possibly a representation of the artist Fjelde himself, the sculptor holds a hammer in one hand and a chisel in the other. He works on a marble bust, located behind him is a completed work in bas-relief.

Tragedy

Sorrow is apparent in the posture of the beautifully draped female figure representing Tragedy. Her eyes are cast down, a mask balancing on her knee supported with her right hand, and she grasps a laurel wreath in her left hand.