Law Library

History of the Rule of Law Chronicled in Painting

The Code of Hammurabi & the Rule of Ramses the Great
The first panel of this series presents Hammurabi (approximately 2250 B.C.-1686 B.C.), the Babylonian king to whom the first written Code of Law for Mesopotamia and Sumeria is attributed. Hammurabi, also known as Hammurapi-ilu (which translates to “He is as God”), appears to be in the process of passing judgment on a situation before him as a scribe records the proceedings in cuneiform.

In the central area of the panel is an Egyptian column leading the eye to the right of the above scene into a study of the “Land of Khem” or Egypt. A series of hieroglyphs on the column, with a flaming brazier at its base, guide the viewer into a scene of radiant luminosity contrasted with variations of shadow, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The artist has chosen to depict the Reign of Ramses II, or “Ramses the Great,” who was pharaoh from approximately 1290 B.C. to 1224 B.C.

Draco, Coder of Law & The Twelve Tables of Roman Law
The second painting in the series depicts a scene from ancient Greece during the period when Draco, credited with becoming the first law scribe in Athens, enacted laws so severe even minor offenses were punishable by death. As “archon eponymous” (621-620 B.C.), Draco was the first to codify Athenian laws or codes. These new codes were so stringent and harsh they became known as “Draconian measures.”

As the viewer’s vision moves over the red drapery in the center of the panel to the next scene, there appears one of the rulers of the Roman Empire in heated discussion with several animated Senators in the halls of the Forum. The artist has chosen to depict a representation of the “Twelve Tables of Roman Law” or “Les Duodecim Tablarum.” The evolution of Roman law encompassed about a thousand years from the Twelve Tables (449 B.C.) to the Justinian Code (530 A.D.) The Twelve Tables were the first legal code to truly define and separate private law and civil procedure, as well as form the cornerstone of the constitution of the Roman Republic. Of major import from the Republican era is the “lex Aquila” (286 B.C.), a statute considered to be the humble beginnings of contemporary tort law.

The Signing of the Magna Carta
The entire third panel is one complete scene from history: the signing of the Magna Charta by King John at Runnymede, England, on June 15, 1215, as observed by the feudal barons, knights and vassals of the time. There is a great deal of tension and hostility expressed in this scene, becoming almost tangible to the viewer. King John’s demise the following year initiated the first in a series of reissues of the charter in 1216, then 1225. The final version was completed in 1297, from which today’s English Law currently utilizes Articles 1, 9 and 29 of the 1297 revision and Articles 1, 13, 39 and 40 from the 1215 original charter.

Dethroning the Monarchy
The fourth painting in this series contains perhaps the most ghastly and gruesome images examined in the historical panorama presented to the viewer. It is the artist’s vision of the “bloody coup” against the Bourbons, the ruling dynasty of the time, best known as the French Revolution (1789-1799). Thus began a volatile period in French history with Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul (1799-1804) and then as Emperor Napoleon (1804-1815), during a lengthy and debilitating series of wars. This is euphemized as the period of “Enlightened Monarchy.”

In the second scenario of the panel, the viewer looks on as Napoleon crowns himself emperor. The contribution of the times, to make manifest the rule of law, is the “Napoleonic Code” which began as the “code civil des francais,” or French Civil Code. It was developed from earlier French laws and Justinian’s Corpus Juris Civilis. However, it is believed by many historians, that the only honorable deed accomplished by French policies at this time, was supporting the North American emancipation.

Signing of the Constitution
In the fifth painting, the viewer has the honorable delight of looking on as the “founding fathers” gather for a momentous occasion. On Sept. 17, 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened and the oldest codified, written, national constitution was signed by the delegates from the 13 American states. It officially went into effect in 1789 and has remained a model for nations throughout the world.

The United States Constitution, considered as “the supreme law of the land,” designates that powers are “separate and distinct” for each branch of government: judicial, executive and legislative. The goal of the latter was the achievement of a “balance of power” through careful checks and balances. Beginning with Marbury vs. Madison, the U.S. Judiciary has benefited from “judicial review” to test the constitutionality of laws enacted, as well as scrutinize the acts of public officials. The Amendments to the Constitution include 27 at present, with the first ten being universally known as the “Bill of Rights.”

Lady Justice Leading the People
The final painting in the series is the artist’s portrait of modern times from the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s to present day. In this panel, Lady Justice symbolically leads her people, while at the base of the pillar she approaches, the scales of Justice appear firmly grasped in the right hand of a young man, struggling to hold the balance as he gazes up at her for direction.

Lady Justice is poised, with body facing outward toward the viewer, yet skewed to the past. The Sword of Truth, positioned in her left hand, points earthward. Her blindfolded head is turned over her right shoulder, intent on the presence of the youth steadying the scales, as she appears to protect him beneath her flag-wielding arm. Pausing, in timeless awareness, listening to the voice of the future, reviewing with wisdom and temperance the events of the past and the present, she engages the viewer, intending perhaps to evoke pensive reflection regarding the history of the rule of law and what it means to each of us.

Artist Profile & Statement
Ron Anderson is a contemporary Ohio artist, illustrator and art educator. He has been a successful working artist for over 20 years throughout the north-central United States. He has received many awards for his work, including the nomination for a Governor’s Award for Art in Ohio for 2005. Mr. Anderson teaches Fashion Illustration, Art Portfolio and Painting “en plein air” classes at the Columbus College of Art & Design.