Who painted The Judgment of Solomon?

The Judgment of Solomon was painted by Leonaert Bramer in 1640-01-01.

Where can I see The Judgment of Solomon?

The Judgment of Solomon is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Judgment of Solomon?

The Judgment of Solomon is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of The Judgment of Solomon?

Museum-quality prints of The Judgment of Solomon are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Judgment of Solomon

Leonaert Bramer , 1640

The Judgment of Solomon is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Leonaert Bramer. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting illustrates the biblical episode known as the Judgment of Solomon, in which King Solomon adjudicates a dispute between two women over an infant.

The painting illustrates the biblical episode known as the Judgment of Solomon, in which King Solomon adjudicates a dispute between two women over an infant. The main subject is the Judgment of Solomon, and the depicted figures include a king, Solomon, a woman, and an infant. As a religious genre work, the composition visualizes the Old Testament narrative from 1 Kings 3, in which Solomon proposes to divide a living child in order to reveal the true mother, who relinquishes her claim so that the child may live.

Bramer's treatment belongs to a long iconographic tradition in which the moment of decision, the threatened sword, and the contrast between the two claimants convey themes of justice, maternal love, and wise discernment. The work thus functions both as a narrative depiction of a scriptural event and as an emblem of equitable royal judgment.

Technique & Style

The painting is rendered in oil paint on a wooden panel, measuring roughly 79 cm in height and 103 cm in width, a format typical of mid‑17th‑century Dutch religious works. Leonaert Bramer’s handling emphasizes clear narrative definition, arranging the figures of King Solomon, the disputed woman, and the infant in a balanced triangular composition that foregrounds the moment of judicial resolution. The use of rich, localized colour and careful modelling of drapery reflects the Baroque interest in dramatic storytelling, while the overall genre is identified as religious, aligning with the work’s thematic subject matter.

History & Provenance

The Judgment of Solomon was created by Leonaert Bramer in 1640, executed in oil paint. The work is documented as belonging to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. No additional details regarding the original commission, intermediate owners, or acquisition history are recorded in the available sources.

Leonaert Bramer's 1640 oil painting, The Judgment of Solomon, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work, executed on a panel measuring 79.1 cm in height and 102.9 cm in width, remains part of the museum's permanent holdings. While the sources confirm its current location and physical attributes, they do not provide a specific inventory or accession number, nor do they detail any past or future exhibition history for the piece.

Overview

Leonaert Bramer's 1640 oil painting, The Judgment of Solomon, depicts a pivotal moment from the Old Testament. This work, created by the Dutch artist during the flourishing period of the Dutch Golden Age, captures the biblical king's famous decision concerning two women and an infant. The painting is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.

Context

Leonaert Bramer was a Dutch painter active throughout the seventeenth century, a period often referred to as the Dutch Golden Age due to its significant artistic and cultural output. Bramer distinguished himself through his contributions to religious and history painting, genres that often allowed for dramatic narrative depictions. He was also recognized for his distinctive nocturnal scenes, which often featured strong chiaroscuro effects.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Leonaert Bramer

Leonaert Bramer, also Leendert or Leonard (24 December 1596 – before 10 February 1674 (date of burial)), was a Dutch painter known primarily for genre, religious, and history paintings.