About the artwork The north façade of the main building is decorated with sgraffito drawings. Enthroned in the middle of the second floor, between the symbols of the faculties taught at this technical university, are female personifications of “Art” (ARTES) and “Science” (SCIENTIÆ). The 22 cantonal emblems of the time displayed under the eaves indicate that this was the only nationwide institute for higher education in Switzerland. The list of particular virtues and characteristics between the windows on the first floor lead to the 17 portraits of famous historical and modern figures on the lowest part of the façade. Art Inventory ETH Zurich, Ki-00088 Factsheet SgraffitoETH Zurich, Zentrum, main buildingNorth façade, TannenstrasseMon–Sun, open 24 hours