The Bronze Doors of the Supreme Court: A depiction of the evolution of justice and Western law

[usregimechange]

“Out of all of our monumental projects, spread over two lifetimes, the Supreme Court doors are the only work that we ever signed - that’s how important they were.” -JOHN DONNELLY, JR., Sculptor

The location

As you are walking up to the Supreme Court building in Washington, DC...




As you walk closer to the top of the West Plaza steps...




The content

Depicted on the Bronze Doors at the Supreme Court building is the evolution of Western law. In chronological order each panel of the door represents major events that impacted both the formation of justice and the rise of judicial power.


The process

"In designing the Supreme Court Building, architect Cass Gilbert (1867 - 1934) utilized a classically inspired entrance procession leading to the Courtroom. Key elements in this sequence are the bronze doors, centered behind the massive columns of the front portico. Signifying the importance of the proceedings that occur within, the oversized doors measure 17 feet high, 9 ½ feet wide and weigh about 13 tons. The doors were designed by Gilbert and John Donnelly, Sr. (1867 - 1947) and sculpted by his son, John Donnelly, Jr. (1903 -1970). Cast by The General Bronze Corporation of Long Island City, NY, they were shipped to Washington and installed in early 1935."
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/about/bronzedoors.pdf


The arrangement

Arranged chronologically, the thematic sequence begins on the lower left panel and moves up to the top of that door. It continues with the bottom right panel and concludes with the upper right corner.
Ibid.


http://www.supremecourtus.gov/about/bronzedoors.pdf


The events

1 - SHIELD OF ACHILLES

Two men debate a point of law, with the winner to receive the two gold coins on the pedestal. This scene is described in the Iliad as part of the decoration on the Shield of Achilles forged by Vulcan. It is recreated here by the Donnellys who described it as “the most famous representation of primitive law.”
Ibid.


2 - PRAETOR’S EDICT

A Roman praetor (magistrate) publishes his edict proclaiming the validity of judge-made, or “common” law. A soldier, perhaps representing the power of government to enforce the common law, stands by.


3 - JULIAN AND SCHOLAR

Julian, one of the most prominent law teachers in Ancient Rome, instructs a pupil. According to the Donnellys, this represents “the development of law by scholar and advocate.”


4 - JUSTINIAN CODE

This panel depicts the publishing of the Corpus Juris by order of the Roman (Byzantine) Emperor Justinian in the sixth century AD. This is considered to be the first codification of Roman law.


5 - MAGNA CARTA

King John of England is coerced by the Barons to place his seal upon the Magna Carta in 1215. Ibid.

"Thus he bound not only himself but his 'heirs, for ever' to grant 'to all freemen of our kingdom' the rights and liberties the great charter described. With Magna Carta, King John placed himself and England's future sovereigns and magistrates within the rule of law."
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/magna_carta/

6 - WESTMINSTER STATUTE

King Edward I watches as his chancellor (secretary) publishes the Statute of Westminster in 1275. The Donnellys’ description states “The greatest single legal reform in our history.”
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/about/bronzedoors.pdf

"This act is almost a code by itself; it contains fifty-one clauses and covers the whole ground of legislation. … on the one hand common right is to be done to all, as well poor as rich, without respect of persons; on the other, elections are to be free, and no man is by force, malice, or menace, to disturb them. The spirit of the Great Charter is not less discernible: excessive amercements, abuses of wardship, irregular demands for feudal aids, are forbidden in the same words or by amending enactments" (William Stubbs "The Constitutional History of England in its Origin and Development," 1903).

7 - COKE AND JAMES I

England’s Lord Chief Justice Coke bars King James I from the “King’s Court,” making the court, by law, independent of the executive branch of government.
Ibid.


8 - MARSHALL AND STORY

The Donnellys describe this event as Chief Justice John Marshall and Associate Justice Joseph Story discussing the 1803 Marbury v. Madison opinion in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Ibid.

"In the best tradition of the common law, the pace of that evolution is a matter for continuing debate; but that our understanding of the Constitution does change from time to time has been settled since John Marshall breathed life into its text" (Justice Stevens, with whom Justice Ginsburg joins, concurring, ROPER V. SIMMONS (03-633) 112 S. W. 3d 397, affirmed).

Thereby establishing judicial review under Article III of the US Constitution and the idea of the Constitution as a living document.


A short video
"Assistant Curator Matt Hoffstedt describes the history of these doors and the symbolism contained in them and we also hear from Curator Catherine Fitts."
http://supremecourt.c-span.org/Video/ByRoom/SC_VT_BronzeDoor.aspx

[usregimechange]

1. Any one been there? What parts of the building does the public get to see?

[usregimechange]

2. Apparently visitors stand in one of two lines to see orals, the 3 minutes line and those wanting to

see the entire hearing:

"Visitors are invited to attend oral arguments, but seating is limited and on a first-come, first-seated basis. Before a session begins, two lines form on the plaza in front of the building. One is for those who wish to attend an entire argument. The other is a three-minute line for those who wish to observe the Court in session for a brief time. The locations for these lines are marked with signs and there is a police officer on duty to answer your questions."

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/visiting/visitorsguide-supremecourt.pdf

[usregimechange]

3. According to the map the public can enter through these doors or the north doors but

members of the bar only come in through the north door.

[usregimechange]

4. What not to take inside the court room:

Please refrain from taking the following items into the Courtroom when Court is in session: cameras, radios, pagers, tape players, cell phones, tape recorders, other electronic equipment, hats, overcoats, magazines and books, briefcases and luggage. Sunglasses, identification tags (other than military), display buttons and inappropriate clothing may not be worn. A checkroom is available on the first floor to check coats and other personal belongings. Coin operated (quarters only) lockers for cameras and other valuables are available. The checkroom closes 30 minutes after Court adjourns.

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/visiting/visitorsguidetooralargument.pdf

[usregimechange]

5. Link to all the SCOTUS architectural information sheets:

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/about/archdetails.html

[scarletwoman]

6. Thank you! What a wonderful history lesson!

Fascinating and edifying. And NO Ten Commandments -- YAY!

sw

[usregimechange]

7. Your welcome, thanks for reading

[scarletwoman]

8. You're very welcome. I appreciate the effort you put into this thread.

So here's a kick (I already rec'd it), in hopes that more DUers will check it out.

sw

[usregimechange]

9. I took me about 5 hours, so I appreciate it

[nemo137]

12. I belive the 10 Commandments are on the building itself.

The pediment, I think (my Greek architecture terms are fuzzy). It also has Solon and Confucius, among others, I think it's supposed to represent the development of ancient law.

[scarletwoman]

15. Thank you. I don't mind if they're part of a historical context alongside Solon, et al.

And I can't remember my Greek architectural terms either. :)

[usregimechange]

17. Correct, the intent was not to promote religion but to illustrate the history of law

[usregimechange]

10. kick

[usregimechange]

11. kick

[nemo137]

13. Very nice, thank you.

[usregimechange]

16. Your welcome

[scarletwoman]

14. Another kick for a very worthwhile thread. (nt)