The series of murals in the lunettes in the north gallery by artist
Charles Sprague Pearce (1851-1914) illustrates the phases of a pleasant and
well-ordered life. The scenes represent the kind of idyllic existence often
imagined by poets, in which people live in an innocent, simple, and
untroubled society where they begin to develop the attributes of a more
refined civilization.
The largest and summary mural at the far end depicts The
Family. In a wooded valley bounded by high mountains figures are
gathered at the mouth of a cave. At the center is the figure of the head of
the household, who is being welcomed home by his family after a day spent
hunting. His wife holds out their infant son and their young daughter
clings to him. On the left his aged father lays aside a scroll he has been
reading and on the right the seated figure of his mother clasps the head of
her staff while an older daughter leans against a tree.
In each of the smaller lunettes the artist depicts simple occupations
and relaxations which are characteristic of family life. The murals along
one side depict Religion, Labor, Study, and Recreation. The single mural in a lunette on the stairhall side
depicts Rest.
The penetrations in the vault of Pearce-s corridor contain the names of
distinguished educators: Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852), Johann Heinrich
Pestalozzi (1746-1827), Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), John Amos
Comenius (1592-1670), Roger Ascham (c. 1515-1568), Samuel Gridley Howe
(1801-1876), Thomas Gallaudet 1787-1851), Horace Mann (1796-1859), Thomas
Arnold 1795-1842), and Herbert Spencer (1820-1903).
Photography by Carol M. Highsmith.
Instruction
In the large lunette on the opposite end of the gallery the artist
depicts two female figures who float against a verdant natural
background and hold between them a large scroll with a quotation from
Confucius “Give instruction unto those who can not procure it for
themselves.â€
In Study two female figures sit upon stones in a landscape
with a scroll at their feet. One observes, deep in thought, while the
other instructs her with the aid of a book and compasses.
The largest and summary mural at the far end depicts The
Family. In a wooded valley bounded by high mountains figures are
gathered at the mouth of a cave. At the center is the figure of the
head of the household, who is being welcomed home by his family after a
day spent hunting. His wife holds out their infant son and their young
daughter clings to him. On the left his aged father lays aside a scroll
he has been reading and on the right the seated figure of his mother
clasps the head of her staff while an older daughter leans against a
tree.
The penetrations in the vault of Pearce-s corridor contain the names
of distinguished educators: Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852), Johann
Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827), Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778),
John Amos Comenius (1592-1670), Roger Ascham (c. 1515-1568), Samuel
Gridley Howe (1801-1876), Thomas Gallaudet 1787-1851), Horace Mann
(1796-1859), Thomas Arnold 1795-1842), and Herbert Spencer
(1820-1903).
