“The Kiss of Peace and Justice” (1654) By Laurent de La Hyre shows a landscape scene with two figures in the foreground. Justice has the flaming torch to burn the armor and sword; while Peace is in blue, facing away from us. The concrete behind them is engraved with the Latin phrase “Iusticia et Pax osculatae sunt” which means.. Justice and Peace have kissed.

The subject comes from Psalms 85, which identifies God’s four virtues: mercy, truth, justice, and peace. Over time they became allegorized as the Four Daughters of God. The Bible’s intention of Peace and Justice kissing was not meant to be sexualized, but it was not uncommon for the women to be depicted bare chested, especially during the baroque period.