Oordeel van Salomon 1670 - 1677

Jean Dughet created this engraving of ‘The Judgement of Solomon’ in the 17th century. The composition, with its sharp contrasts and stark lines, pulls us into a scene of high drama and moral tension. The formal architecture serves as a backdrop to the flurry of human action, directing our attention to the foreground where the emotional intensity is at its peak. Dughet uses the engraving medium to create a semiotic landscape. Observe how the directional force of pointing fingers and pleading gestures guides our eyes across the scene, creating a visual pathway that mimics the unfolding narrative. The clear distinction between the figures and the architectural elements also serves to amplify the contrast between human frailty and institutional power. The structured arrangement of figures, with Solomon enthroned above and the anguished mothers below, isn't merely aesthetic; it's a visual articulation of social hierarchy and the burden of judgement. The print destabilizes ideas about absolute justice and the challenges inherent in discerning truth from falsehood. Dughet’s detailed engraving makes us consider how authority is visually constructed and morally questioned through the art itself.