Rechtvaardigheid leert de wetten van Utrecht 1709

Jan Goeree made this print, Rechtvaardigheid leert de wetten van Utrecht, probably around 1709. The image offers insight into the cultural values and legal structures of Utrecht in the early 18th century. In the print, allegorical figures surround a title cartouche, above which two cherubs hold the Utrecht coat of arms. To the left, Justice stands with her scales and sword. A crowned figure, likely representing a ruler or judge, extends his hand towards the title, while a female figure on the right holds a measuring rod. Below, a putto studies a book, hinting at the importance of legal scholarship. This imagery presents Justice as the guiding principle behind Utrecht's laws. The image's classical style, with its allegorical figures and architectural elements, suggests a society that values reason, order, and tradition. To fully understand this print, researchers would need to delve into Utrecht's legal and political history, examining archival documents, legal treatises, and visual representations of justice. These investigations would reveal how ideas about law and order were constructed, negotiated, and visualized in this specific time and place.