The Judgment of Solomon c. 1574

Curator: This engraving, "The Judgment of Solomon" by Hans Collaert the Elder, presents a dramatic scene. It's part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the tense choreography; the sharp diagonals created by the figures around Solomon create this overwhelming sense of conflict and impending violence. Curator: Indeed, the sword is visually central. It's an ancient symbol of power, but here it highlights the ultimate test of maternal instinct. Notice how Collaert uses the gazes of the figures to guide the viewers eye across the composition. Editor: And the baby at the center! It represents innocence and vulnerability, but it also resonates with this broader theme of sacrifice and the lengths to which a mother will go. The story is a powerful one. Curator: A powerful message, effectively rendered through clear compositional balance and dramatic intensity. Editor: Absolutely, and that story continues to speak to us today through the visual language.