Typographic Title Page with a Vignette Depicting the Allegorical Figure of Justice, from Thronus Justitiae, tredecim pulcherrimus tabulis... 1606

This is Willem van Swanenburg’s typographic title page with a vignette, made in Amsterdam in 1606. It heralds a book called Thronus Justitiae, or Throne of Justice. But what does it mean to illustrate Justice in this way? The allegory shows a female figure holding scales, representing impartiality, and a sword, symbolising authority. This image was produced in the Dutch Republic during a time of significant legal and social change following their independence from Spain. The work reflects a society grappling with defining its own legal and moral frameworks, establishing institutions to promote justice, and building consensus around shared values. The Throne of Justice suggests a vision for social order, reflecting not only legal ideals but also the Republic’s sense of itself. To understand the meaning fully, one might study legal and philosophical texts from the period, exploring public debates about law and order, and examining the Republic's emergent systems of governance. Art is always contingent on its moment.