Stående kvinde med sværd. Retfærdigheden 1731 - 1802

Curator: This drawing, rendered in muted charcoal, is called "Stående kvinde med sværd. Retfærdigheden," which translates to "Standing Woman with Sword. Justice." It was created by Johannes Wiedewelt, sometime between 1731 and 1802, and is now held here at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by how vulnerable Justice looks here. The sketchiness adds to that feeling—like she might just fade away. It's an interesting choice, making such a powerful figure seem so delicate. Curator: Indeed, the seeming delicacy contrasts interestingly with the attributes we traditionally associate with the personification of Justice. In Wiedewelt's time, allegorical figures were used to convey philosophical ideas. A sword and scales usually indicated justice and fairness. What I find really intriguing is Wiedewelt's choice to focus on the *idea* of Justice through such a minimal, almost ghostly, portrayal. Editor: You know, she almost looks like she’s weighing her options. The sword feels more like a burden than a tool of enforcement. And that gaze—averted, internal…is this a critique of justice, perhaps? Is Wiedewelt implying that even justice must grapple with its own complexities and moral compromises? Curator: That’s a wonderfully nuanced interpretation. Considering the period when Wiedewelt worked, we see rising social and political unrest, it's plausible that his work could be questioning power. His art existed in the context of Enlightenment ideals spreading and societal structures starting to undergo close examination. An artist producing a "Justice" that is neither triumphant nor resolute but appears instead in the midst of self-reflection mirrors society's changing viewpoints on power dynamics. Editor: That said, looking at this quick drawing makes you consider it all; justice, truth and our capability of seeing these for ourselves in our own world today. Art makes me do that; consider and reconsider again! Curator: That’s precisely what great art does – and Wiedewelt's drawing is a compelling prompt for introspection, prompting viewers to consider what the representation of such a profound idea looks like. Thank you for such interesting insights.