Schotel, beschilderd met het Oordeel van koning Salomo c. 1655 - 1660

This earthenware plate was painted by Willem Jansz. Verstraeten in the Netherlands, depicting “The Judgment of Solomon.” The biblical story shows King Solomon using his wisdom to resolve a dispute between two women, each claiming to be the mother of the same child. Solomon orders the child to be cut in half, revealing the true mother's compassion when she relinquishes her claim to save the child’s life. Made in the Dutch Republic, this plate reflects the cultural and religious values of its time. During this period, the Netherlands was a Protestant society that valued justice and morality. The story of Solomon, known for his wisdom and fairness, resonated with these values, acting as a moral lesson for those who displayed it. As art historians, it is our task to investigate how art objects like this plate acted within Dutch society. By studying sources from the era we can understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped its production and reception.