"Peace" - Allegheny County Courthouse - Pittsburgh, PA - Murals on Waymarking.com

Visiting the Courthouse and the murals

Although this is an active courthouse, visitors are welcome. The murals are inside the courthouse's secure area and visitors must pass through metal detectors to gain admittance.

I highly recommend that any visitors first visit the information office before starting the tour. This office is located off the tunnel driveway leading from Forbes Avenue into the inner courtyard. The people working in this office are extremely friendly and helpful and have lots of free literature that will enhance your visit.

Please note: Cameras are allowed inside the courthouse and may be used to photograph the mural, but photography is prohibited in any of the courtrooms and may be restricted in other areas.

The Vincent Nesbert Murals

In the second floor lobby of the Courthouse you will find 5 murals painted by artist Vincent Nesbert in the 1930s. An article by Anita F. Morganstern on the artist’s life describes the history of the murals:

”It was during that same decade [1930s] that the Courthouse murals were executed. “Justice” was begun in 1933. The Federal Art Program paid a token $300 for its design and the county financed materials. Although further financing was not forthcoming, Nesbert continued to work on “Justice” without pay, “in the hope that the mural will encourage a love of art among Pittsburghers.” At its completion, commissioners McGovern and Barr were so pleased that they each rewarded the artist with $100 personal contribution and then approved a county honorarium of $2,500 for the execution of “Industry” and “Peace”.

In 1938, $4,500 was appropriated for the commissioning of “The Battle of Grant’s Hill” (which took place at the site of the Courthouse) and "Fort Duquesne" (later named Fort Pitt). In all Vincent Nesbert's "labor of love" consumed five years, during which time his familiar figure perched on a scaffold, in a kelly green smock, stimulated widespread attention and notoriety."