The Triumph Of Civilization

The Triumph Of Civilization and her accompanying sphinxes are located inside the Los Angeles Central Library, at the top of the formal marble stairs above its 5th Street entrance. Created by Lee Lawrie primarily of marble and copper, The Triumph Of Civilization stands thus: holding in her left hand a spear that’s resting on a turtle and topped by a lit beacon; holding open in her right hand a book inscribed with ancient Greek lettering; wearing on her head a crown featuring the Bear & Star flanked by two winged angels; wearing down the front of her chest a copper banner depicting in ascending order three Egyptian pyramids, a trireme coastal vessel, a Neo-Assyrian lamassu standing in front of a closed gate, the Acropolis in Athens, Romulus and Remus suckling from the teat of their wolf-bitch guardian, a Chinese-style dragon, Shiva dancing, the frontal facade of Notre Dame in Paris, an American bison, a Conestoga wagon, and the Liberty bell. Each accompanying sphinx braces open upon its forepaws a book inscribed with ancient Greek lettering. The German-born Lee Lawrie also created the sculptures at 30 Rockefeller center, including Prometheus.

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