Rechtvaardigheid en Voorzichtigheid (Justitia / Prudentia) 1580 - 1584

This engraving, "Justitia and Prudentia," was made by Hendrick Goltzius in the late 16th or early 17th century. The image is a tight composition featuring two embracing, allegorical figures, Justice and Prudence, set against a detailed landscape. The use of line is remarkable here. Notice how Goltzius uses dense, parallel lines to create areas of shadow and volume. The figures are rendered with a striking realism; the texture of their skin and drapery is palpable. This is contrasted with the softer, more atmospheric rendering of the background. Goltzius plays with classical ideas by destabilizing expectations of virtue, and engages with the concept of moral and ethical thought through symbolic images. The scales of Justice and the serpent entwined around Prudence's arm are more than mere symbols; they are integral components of the composition. It’s a powerful statement on the complexities of moral authority, and it invites us to consider how these virtues intertwine.