“…a woman, draped and blindfolded, carrying a torch.” (pg. 30)
This description closely resembles that of the Greek goddess of justice, Astraea. Astraea is commonly depicted as being blindfolded and holding the scales of justice in one hand and a sword in the other. According to myth, when mankind became wicked, she left earth and became the constellation Virgo. Conrad included the painting of Astraea to further explore Kurtz's persona. In a sense Kurtz represents the wickedness of man that originally drove Astraea from earth. By painting this picture, it almost seems that Kurtz is trying to attribute himself with justice, when really he is the root of its ruin.
"Origin of Lady of Justice." Legal History and Philosophy. Web. 12 Aug. 2009. http://www.commonlaw.com/Justice.html
Photo Credit: Astraea. Digital image. Web. 12 Aug. 2009. http://www.latein-pagina.de/ovid/pic_ovid_1/iustitia2.jpg
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