1559
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Justice is a 1559 ink by Philip Galle, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This crowded scene shows a chaotic mix of people in a town square. Some are fighting, others are watching, and a few are being punished—one is tied to a post, another lies on the ground. Buildings with flags line the background, and a crowd gathers around a scaffold in the center. The whole image is in black and white, packed with tiny details like weapons, animals, and signs. The Latin text at the bottom reads like a moral lesson about justice. It’s not just a fight—it’s a warning about punishment and fairness. The artist packed in so much action that every corner has something happening. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Philip (or Philips) Galle (1537 – March 1612) was a Dutch publisher, best known for publishing old master prints, which he also produced as designer and engraver. He is especially known for his reproductive engravings of paintings.
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