Forvis Mazar
Walter was commissioned to create artwork for the new corporate offices of Forvis Mazar, a leading global professional services network in Indianapolis. The signature piece, Deinceps Cogitandi, greets visitors in the lobby and is a narrative of Forvis Mazars which speaks to the company’s over 100 year legacy.
“Deinceps Cogitandi”, Latin for forward thinking, imbues all facets of the company’s mission to bring a forward vision to the marketplace.The piece is grounded by an image of a compass which symbolizes a guiding path while surrounded by the world globe, representing the scope of Forvis Mazars’ reach.
Underlying it all is a ledger sheet which covers the entire piece and is utilized in many different ways. Homage is given to the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution establishing Congress’s right to impose Federal income tax and the first Federal Income Tax 1040 form of 1913.
Since accounting is a language that dates back thousands of years, I thought it was important to pay homage to the history of accounting with various images throughout the piece. The first Roman coins include an image on the reverse holding a tessera or an accounting board and coin dispenser for the distribution of money. A page from Luca Pacioli’s (father of modern accounting), “Summa de Arithmetica” which contains the first published description of the double-entry bookkeeping system. William Seward Burroughs first patent for the invention of the first adding machine in 1885 as well. Most importantly, in dark scripted cursive, is the date and ledger that was the first entry from the founding firm in January 1923 and an acknowledgement of the over 100 year legacy of Forvis Mazars.
“My goal with this painting was to create a narrative of Forvis Mazars, which speaks to their over 100 year legacy but more importantly the legacy that accounting brings to this exceptional firm as they make a positive difference in the lives of people, clients and the community.” -- Walter Knabe
