When the rays of enlightenment first fell
upon ancient Greece - the foundation of western
civilization - a path was shown from the shadows
of ignorance and superstition. But those shadows
returned to eclipse that fragile light, leaving
only a hidden legacy of knowledge. Europe slept
for nearly one thousand years before this classical
treasure was rediscovered.

In the ages that followed the medieval era of
shadows - Renaissance, Reformation, and the Age of
Reason (or Enlightenment) - these ancient descriptions
of science and philosophy slowly evolved into an idea
more powerful than monarchs or nations:
modern liberalism.

In three paroxysms of reform, the social revolutions
in Britain, France, and America (symbolized here by
the red, blue, and white gown - echoing the flags of
these three nations), released liberty (the dove)
into the light. And yet, even though this liberty has
given the West unprecedented freedom and prosperity,
our enlightenment remains incomplete. We yet long for
the wisdom that so inscrutably escapes us, and are
neither satisfied nor content.

Why not? As the enlightenment continues to drive
society's evolution, we grow increasingly overwhelmed
by the bewildering complexities of a perpetually changing
world. 20th century modernism has created a society
that depends for its existence upon hyper-accelerated
growth and development. But perhaps we sometimes seek
the comfort of things known and familiar, like the woman
(a manifestation, or angel, of civilization) who is
leaning to the right upon the edifice of history. Even
while she reaches for the liberalising light of the left,
she rests upon conservative tradition and the past.