Allegory of Justice (Sanctity of the Law) with a court scene depicting a man being pardoned by a judge, plate XII from Thronus Justitiae, tredecim pulcherrimus tabulis... 1605

Willem van Swanenburg's "Allegory of Justice (Sanctity of the Law)" is a dynamic etching from 1605 depicting a court scene where a man is being pardoned by a judge. The print is part of a series titled "Thronus Justitiae" which explores themes of justice and law. Swanenburg's use of dramatic foreshortening and intricate details effectively conveys the weight of legal proceedings and the power of the judicial system. The scene, set within a grand architectural space, provides a powerful visual metaphor for the sanctity of the law, a concept that held great significance in the early 17th century. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this intricate etching.