The Judgment of Solomon
1600
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1600
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Judgment of Solomon is a 1600 ink by Willem van Swanenburgh, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a crowded scene with dramatic figures in a grand hall. Solomon sits on a throne, holding a baby while two women argue over who is the child’s mother. The background has tall columns and a distant cityscape, while people around Solomon react with gestures—some pointing, others kneeling or looking up. The lines are sharp and detailed, creating shadows and texture. This is an old story about a king who had to decide which woman was the real mother of a child. The artist used fine lines to build up dark and light areas, making the scene feel three-dimensional. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one carved images into metal plates.
Willem van Swanenburgh (1607–1607) was an artist.
See the richer artist page
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