Oordeel van Salomo 1590 - 1683

"Oordeel van Salomo" which translates to "Judgement of Solomon," is an engraving of unknown date, made by an anonymous artist. The print depicts a biblical story where King Solomon discerns the true mother of a child. It’s an emotionally charged scene: Solomon sits enthroned, while a soldier raises his sword, poised to divide the infant. Two women stand on either side of the impending horror. This story comes to us from a time where a man’s power over life and death was absolute, and a woman’s voice was often unheard. The print invites us to consider the complexities of power, and the desperation of these women, caught in a system where their worth is tied to motherhood and their voices easily dismissed. The raw emotion captured—the fear, the anguish, and the quiet dignity—reminds us of the human cost of power imbalances.