In the United States, courthouse art and architecture are typically designed to symbolize the foundational principles of courts in a democracy: equal justice under law, separation of powers, and transparency in adjudication, among other values. The courthouse of the Appellate Division, First Department, is a particularly rich example of this architectural and artistic heritage. When it was erected in the 1890s, nearly one third of the construction budget was allocated to artwork. The courthouse is festooned with murals, statuary, and stained glass. The murals in the lobby and the courtroom contain allegorical themes on the nature of justice, the virtues of wisdom and study, and the latent need for force to ensure compliance with the law. The roof is adorned with statues embodying these themes and depicting individual lawgivers from the past. The building, including its interior, has been landmarked by the City of New York, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.