Oordeel van Salomo (rechterdeel) 1625 - 1677

Jean Dughet created this print, "Judgment of Solomon," in the 17th century. Notice the central figure of the executioner, poised to cleave a baby in two. The gesture of the mother, arms outstretched, embodies raw emotion. This recalls the "man of sorrows" motif, where open hands signify profound suffering, echoing through time from ancient religious iconography to Renaissance art and beyond. Consider the psychological weight of this image: the fear, the sacrifice. The executioner, embodying death, becomes an agent of revelation when the mother renounces her claim to the child. Observe how the symbol of maternal love transforms into a symbol of ultimate self-sacrifice, resonating with our deepest fears and hopes. The image leaves an indelible mark, a powerful reminder of the non-linear ways in which cultural memory and emotional expression intertwine.