The Judgement of Solomon 1665

Luca Giordano painted ‘The Judgement of Solomon’ in the late 17th century, capturing a famous test of wisdom. The composition depicts King Solomon’s clever resolution to a dispute between two women, both claiming to be the mother of the same child. Giordano, working in Naples, Italy, presents Solomon as a heroic figure, his muscular physique emphasized, while the emotional turmoil of the women is portrayed through dramatic gestures. The painting’s social commentary lies in its reflection of justice and power dynamics. Solomon’s wise ruling upholds social order, exposing the true mother through her selfless act of relinquishing her claim to save her child’s life. The era’s societal norms valued the wisdom of rulers and patriarchal authority. To understand this work fully, historians would delve into legal and social structures of 17th-century Naples, exploring the role of the monarchy and its engagement with dispensing justice. This painting serves as a reminder that art is shaped by the social and institutional frameworks of its time.