On the day the doors of the Bexar County Courthouse in San Antonio opened in 1896, a statue of Justice above a fountain greeted those entering the east courtyard. In 1927 the statue and fountain was moved further downtown and sat there for the next 70 years until 1997 when it was knocked over by vandals and shattered into pieces and the fountain base was damaged. In 2008 a new statue was commissioned and the fountain was returned to its original spot in the east courtyard. The original sculpture was of the Goddess Venus (Aphrodite) but after much research the sculptor of the new bronze statue is of Themis, Aphrodite's half-sister. Themis was later known as Justitia because she was the first counselor and gave advice on the natural laws and order. Her blindfold, sword, and scale are gold leaf.
Having been repaired, the base of the iron fountain is original. The three daughters of Themis represent spring, winter, and summer because fall was not recognized in Greek/Roman mythology.
8 comments:
I love the original base.. and how awful that vandals destroy art like this. I had not heard the story of the three sisters
Gotta wonder why vandals would want to damage the original! Some people need brain transplants. Just saying. ")
vandalism is SUCH a waste! she's beautiful, though.
Gorgeous statue and interesting history. Doesn't it make you sad that there are people out there who find pleasure in destroying things of beauty?
Wonderful sculpture and I enjoyed the history lesson.
Both the sculpture and the fountain are quite beautiful.
... and her tears when justice goes astray.
Dadgum vandals! I'm glad the bottom part of the fountain was able to be repaired.
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