Rechtvaardigheid (Justitia) 1597

Jacob Matham created this engraving, titled "Rechtvaardigheid", meaning "Justice", sometime between 1571 and 1631 in the Netherlands. The image portrays a female allegorical figure of Justice. She holds scales in one hand and a sword in the other, symbolizing impartiality and power. The sword suggests the state's authority to enforce laws. It was the Dutch Republic at the time, a society where legal systems were becoming more formalized and the concept of justice was central to maintaining social order. Prints like this one played a crucial role in disseminating ideas, particularly in a society with high literacy rates. The Latin inscription reinforces that the law should be blind to status and wealth. By studying legal documents, political pamphlets, and other visual representations of justice from that time, we can better understand how this image participated in shaping social and institutional attitudes towards law and order in the Dutch Republic.