Reproductie van een prent met voorstelling van het oordeel van Salomo before 1897

This engraving reproduces Rubens’s vision of the Judgment of Solomon, a story rife with symbolic weight. Solomon, with a gesture of command, reveals his wisdom. A soldier prepares to divide a baby, while two women embody contrasting maternal instincts. The gesture of Solomon is not new; it echoes through the ages, from Roman emperors to Renaissance depictions of justice, each subtly shifting its meaning. The act of dividing the child brings to mind the imagery of sacrifice, a deep, primal theme resonating across cultures. Consider how this resonates with the collective unconscious – the fear of loss, the instinct to protect. The dramatic composition evokes intense emotional states, forcing viewers to confront fundamental aspects of human nature. Notice how these motifs resurface, transformed, in later art, a testament to the enduring power of visual symbols in conveying profound truths.