Solomon 1600 - 1700

Johan Carl Loth created this small drawing, "Solomon", with pen and brown ink, heightened with white, on gray prepared paper. The figures are arranged in a shallow space, with a sense of dynamic movement. A play of lines directs our eyes across the composition, fostering a rhythm that gives the scene energy. Loth uses the formal elements of line and tonal contrast to create a sense of drama, characteristic of Baroque art. We can interpret the figures as signs within a larger narrative structure. Solomon, central to the composition, is surrounded by figures gesturing and interacting, their bodies forming a complex web of relationships. Notice how Loth's delicate white highlights give a sense of volume. This interplay between light and shadow serves to intensify the emotional impact of the scene. The use of gesture adds to the complexity and intrigue of the scene, inviting us to contemplate the meaning behind it. In this way, the drawing functions not only as a depiction of a biblical event, but also as an exploration of human emotions, captured with remarkable sensitivity.