Untitled [woman with sword] c. 17th century

This striking image, "Untitled [woman with sword]", of unknown date and maker, presents us with a figure of Justice rendered in ink on paper. The classical imagery of the sword and scales alludes to themes of fairness and authority. But what happens when Justice herself is embodied by a woman, her bare flesh visible in the foreground? Does this disrupt the traditional iconography? By challenging conventions, the image quietly asks us to confront our expectations of power, gender, and representation. The image creates an alternative narrative, inviting viewers to question the status quo and consider Justice from a new, embodied perspective. How might our understanding of justice shift if we center those who have been historically marginalized?