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For nearly a century and a half, the Supreme Court convened in borrowed spaces -- first in the Royal Exchange building in New York, then Philadelphia's Independence Hall and City Hall. When the nation's capital moved to Washington, D.C. in 1800, the Court moved into the new Capitol building, initially occupying a room that had been intended for use by a House committee. Through the following decades, the Court used various rooms throughout the Capitol, occasionally even meeting in homes or taverns while displaced by construction projects. In 1860, the Court moved into what is now known as the Old Senate Chamber, where it would remain for 75 years. Finally, in 1929, at the urging of Chief Justice and former President William Howard Taft, Congress authorized the creation of a building for the Supreme Court. The Court moved into its new home in 1935.
In 1932, Cass Gilbert, Jr. was commissioned to design the Supreme Court building. Since the early 19th century, architects, including Thomas Jefferson, had adopted the form of the ancient temple for important government building projects. Associated with tradition, strength, cultural achievement, and Roman republicanism, classical forms embodied the ideals and ambitions of the new nation. In keeping with the style of nearby government buildings and with the desire to create an air of timelessness, sobriety, and authority befitting the judiciary branch, Gilbert returned to these classical forms in his designs for the Court building.
Flanking the left side of the building's stairs is "The Contemplation of Justice," a sculpture created by James Earle Fraser, which speaks to the duties of the Supreme Court. The statue depicts a seated woman holding a small figure representing Justice. The personification of Justice derives from Themis, the Greek goddess of justice and law, and Justicia, one of the four Roman virtues depicted in the form of a woman. Like many representations of Justice, Fraser's holds a set of scales, symbolizing the fairness and equality of law, and wears a blindfold, an expression of impartiality.
To the right of the Supreme Court building stairs is James Earle Fraser's "The Authority of Law," a sculptural embodiment of the Supreme Court's privileges and responsibilities.
At the main entrance of the Supreme Court building is an oversized pair of bronze doors, weighing a combined 13 tons and standing 17 feet high. Bronze doors were created for some of ancient Rome's most important secular and religious sites, including the Roman Senate and the Pantheon. Following in this tradition, the Supreme Court's doors proclaim the building's authority and demand reverence from those who would enter. The doors, cast by John Donnelly, Jr., feature eight relief panels illustrating important events in the history of law. These include the Roman validation of "common law," the signing of the Magna Carta, and the 1803 Marbury v. Madison decision.
The pediment atop the Supreme Court building was created by sculptor Robert Aitken. At its center is a personified Liberty enthroned. On one side, Liberty is guarded by Order, on the other side, by Authority. To the left and the right, these figures are flanked by groups of three, representing Council and Research. The figures included are men who made important contributions to the practice of law or the creation of the building. Among them are William Howard Taft as a young man (far left) and Chief Justice John Marshall as a young man (far right).
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