Salomo's oordeel c. 1550 - 1575

This bronze relief plaque depicting 'The Judgement of Solomon' was created by Hans Jamnitzer in the late 16th or early 17th century. Jamnitzer, a German goldsmith from Nuremberg, has captured a well-known biblical story about the wise King Solomon's cunning solution to a dispute between two women, each claiming to be the mother of the same child. The visual codes and cultural references in this piece are steeped in the religious and social context of the time. Royal authority is reinforced by the architectural details and Solomon's position on a raised throne. The tension between the two mothers and the horror of the executioner are displayed with great drama. Germany in this period was undergoing immense religious and social upheaval. As a consequence, a renewed interest in the values of justice, wisdom, and good governance was flourishing. Art historians examine the artist's biography, religious history, and the social function of art in 16th-century Germany to more fully understand an artwork such as this. Only then can we appreciate how art reflects and shapes the values of its time.