The Los Angeles Central Public Library, 1927.
The Statues of Civilization and the Sphinxes represent some of the finest examples of Art Deco sculpture. Civilization holds a book that is inscribed, "In the beginning, there was the word. (Greek) Knowledge extends horizons. (Latin) Nobility carries obligations. (French) Wisdom is Truth. (German) Beauty is Truth-Truth Beauty (English)" The Sphinxes hold books opened to inscriptions from Plutarch.
The Left Sphinx: "I am all that was and is to be and no man hath lifted up my veil." --Plutarch.
The Right Sphinx: "Therefore, the desire of truth, especially that which concerns the gods, is itself a yearning after Divinity."--Plutarch.
The architect of the Library died before it was completed. (Click the image to see more.)
