Judgement of Solomon n.d.

This pen and wash drawing depicts the Judgement of Solomon, a popular biblical scene. Here, an anonymous artist translates a story about divine wisdom into a visual language rooted in the social and cultural norms of its time. Likely made in Europe, the drawing brings to mind a patriarchal society in which male authority and judgement are paramount. We see King Solomon elevated on his throne, literally above the two women who claim motherhood. The composition, with its theatrical arrangement of figures, suggests a society that values public spectacle and moral instruction through visual storytelling. To fully understand the drawing, we can investigate the historical context of biblical interpretation, the status of women, and the visual conventions of legal and religious representation. Such research reminds us that our interpretations of art are deeply influenced by the social and institutional contexts in which we encounter it.