Artwork
Der Welt Lauf (Sleeping Justice)
Der Welt Lauf (Sleeping Justice) is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Barthel Beham. It dates from 1525 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Der Welt Lauf (Sleeping Justice) is an engraving on laid paper created by Barthel Beham in 1525.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts the personification of Justice as a woman, asleep and bound by heavy chains, set against a cityscape background. Her relaxed posture and the weighty chains suggest the law's constraints, inviting reflection on justice as a personal and societal virtue.
Technique & Style
Beham's use of shading and texture achieves a realistic effect, drawing attention to Justice. The contrast between the detailed foreground figure and the background cityscape creates depth.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Portrait of Marie of Baden
Portrait of Sabina of Bavaria
Kunigunde of Austria, wife of Duke Albrecht IV of Bavaria
Historienzyklus: Kreuzauffindung der hl. Helena
Emperor Charles V
Portrait of a Man
Susanna von Brandenburg, Gemahlin Ottheinrichs (Seitenverkehrte Kopie nach Inv.-Nr. 2450) (Kopie nach)
Portrait of Herzog Johann III, Paltzgraf bei Rhein (1488-1538)
