Description

The figures of Peace (burning the weapons of war) and Justice (holding a sword and scales) embrace in a quiet landscape. The Latin inscription under the antique urn reads “Justice and Peace kissed” (referring to an Old Testament verse, Psalms 85:10). The subject may have had political significance: the painting’s date coincides with the end of the Fronde, a period of civil war in France during which the parlement (courts of appeal) and the nobility sought—unsuccessfully—to limit the power of the monarchy

Provenance

Evrard Titon du Tillet, Paris, probably 1762; Randon de Boisset, Receveur General des Finances, Paris (sale: Paris, February 27—March 25, 1777, no. 170); Joulin [Joullain?]; Marquis de Sabran; purchased by J. B. P. Lebrun in 1796 for Mr. Codman (see Literature, 1935); (sale: Christie's, London, November 27,1970, no. 52, illus., and dated 1659); Lady Nathan; [Cyril Humphris, London). John L. Severance Fund, 1971.