Salomo op zijn troon 1683 - 1733

Bernard Picart created this print titled "Salomo op zijn troon" sometime between 1683 and 1733. During Picart’s lifetime, the Netherlands was a vibrant center of intellectual exchange, where ideas about religion, philosophy, and governance were hotly debated. The print depicts a scene from the Hebrew Bible of King Solomon enthroned, rendering his judgment. Two women are brought before him, each claiming to be the mother of the same child. Solomon resolves the dispute by ordering the child to be cut in two, so each woman receives half. The true mother cries out in despair and offers to give up her child to save its life, revealing her maternal identity through compassion. Picart invites us to reflect on themes of motherhood, justice, and divine wisdom, central to cultural and religious narratives. His work emphasizes the emotional depth of the biblical story, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of human relationships and ethical decision-making.