Beeldengroep met allegorie op de Gerechtigheid aan de westzijde van de Burgerzaal in het Stadhuis op de Dam 1665 - 1783

Hubert Quellinus created this print titled 'Beeldengroep met allegorie op de Gerechtigheid' which translates as 'Sculpture group with allegory on Justice' some time in the 17th century. It offers a glimpse into the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by unprecedented economic prosperity and cultural flourishing, but also deeply shaped by social hierarchies and power dynamics. The central figure of Justice embodies not just a virtue, but a complex negotiation of societal expectations. The allegory is a female figure who is surrounded by symbols of power and control. She's set against other figures such as Death or suffering people which represent the consequences of injustice and speak to the era's understanding of crime and punishment. In Quellinus's depiction, Justice is not merely blind; she is an active agent, whose decisions have tangible, often brutal, effects on individuals and communities. This work serves as a potent reminder of the intricate relationship between justice, power, and human experience.