Judgment of Solomon n.d.

Pietro da Cortona rendered the Judgment of Solomon using pen and brown ink. The sword is the dominant symbol; it appears as an emblem of division and judgment. Consider how the motif of the sword pulsates through history. We find it in the hands of Perseus, severing Medusa's head, or wielded by Judith against Holofernes. Each instance reveals a moment of crisis, a cutting away of falsehood to reveal truth. Cortona seizes this symbol to explore not just justice, but the raw, primal instincts that drive human behavior. The tension between the women, one pleading, the other acquiescent, is charged with psychological insight. The sword becomes a tool, exposing the depths of maternal love. It is a physical threat and a metaphor for emotional exposure, revealing hidden truths and compelling us to reflect on the fine line between justice and cruelty. The symbol of the sword transcends mere narrative; it embodies a profound emotional and psychological truth.