| Pennsylvania State Capitol sculpture groups | |
|---|---|
 The Burden of Life: The Broken Law | |
| Artist | George Grey Barnard Piccirilli Brothers (carvers) |
| Year | commissioned 1902 dedicated October 4, 1911 |
| Medium | Carrara marble |
| Location | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| Owner | Pennsylvania State Capitol |
Pennsylvania State Capitol sculpture groups are a pair of larger-than-life, multi-figure groups by American sculptor George Grey Barnard, that flank the west entrance to the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Barnard was commissioned to create the sculptures in 1902, and modeled them in clay and plaster over several years in France.[1] Piccirilli Brothers carved them in white Carrara marble in New York City, and installed the finished sculptures at the Capitol in 1911.[1]
The south group is titled The Burden of Life: The Broken Law, and is overseen by a heroic size bas relief of Adam and Eve. It portrays life struggles and negative emotions – widowhood, toil, grief, despair – but with the possibility of consolation and hope. The north group is titled Love and Labor: The Unbroken Law, and is overseen by a heroic size bas relief of a prosperous farmer and his wife. It portrays life accomplishments and positive emotions – familial love, education, parenthood, religion – and the promise of the future generation.