  
 Johannes Vermeer, Woman Holding a Balance (detail), c. 1664, National Gallery of Art, Widener CollectionThe balance traditionally symbolizes justice--after all, to judge is to weigh. With nothing in its pans, it is not quite symmetrical, yet almost at equilibrium. In an exquisite passage of visual poetry, the woman's little finger echoes the horizontal arm of the balance and picture frame.  
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