Rechter die een vonnis wijst 1520 - 1561

This etching, "Rechter die een vonnis wijst" (Judge Delivering a Verdict), was created by Italian artist Battista Franco between 1520 and 1561. The artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts a judge seated on a throne, surrounded by individuals who may be witnesses or litigants. Franco’s meticulous detail and skillful use of shading create a sense of drama and realism within the scene. The etching provides a glimpse into 16th-century legal proceedings and the social interactions that surrounded them. It is a valuable example of Renaissance art that explores the themes of justice and the power of the law.