Judgement of Solomon (1 Kings 3:16–28)

About this work

The painting depicts a scene from the biblical story of the Judgement of Solomon, where two women claim the same child as their own. The king, Solomon, is shown holding the baby, while the two women and several other figures look on. The scene is set in a grand, classical-style building with columns and arches. In the foreground, the two women are dressed in simple, classical robes, while the king and the other figures are more elaborately dressed. The painting is done in a realistic style, with attention to detail and texture. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, adds depth and drama to the scene. The painting is held at the National Museum in Warsaw.