The New York State Education building, constructed in a grand Neoclassical style between 1908 and 1912, was designed to “impress the popular mind with the important place which education holds in the thought and policies of the Empire State.” Similarly, the thirty-six paintings, created by Albany artist Will Hicok Low, possess a timeless quality of beauty and grace and serve as an architectural accompaniment to the building.

The Paintings

Using figures and symbols from Roman and Greek mythology paired with New York buildings and landscapes, the artist charts major milestones in human progress—in terms of art, science, technology, modernization, liberty, democracy, and quality of life. The earliest panels, such as Architecture, Astronomy & Geography, and Medicine & Chemistry, combine theory and practical skills. Another eight, including Theseus, the Pathfinder, feature modern inventions to show how far humankind had progressed by the early 20th century. The final paintings reflect a patriotic thme, with subjects such as The Standard, The United States Military Academy, and the Shaft of Union. Taken together, these paintings—originally gracing the entrances of the State Library Main Reading Room, the Law Library, and the Periodicals Library—complement the Rotunda’s architectural nobility and its aura of intellectual enlightenment.