Oordeel van Salomo 1675

This etching, "Oordeel van Salomo" (Judgment of Solomon) created by Pietro Aquila in 1675, depicts the biblical story of King Solomon's wisdom. The scene shows the two women claiming to be the mother of the same child, while Solomon, seated on his throne, orders the child to be divided in half. The scene illustrates the moment before the cunning king reveals the true mother by offering to divide the child, proving that the woman who wants the child to live is the real mother. This artwork reflects the 17th-century interest in biblical narratives and showcases Aquila’s skill in capturing the drama and emotion of the story through detailed figures and dynamic composition.