Oordeel van Salomo 1616 - 1669

Editor: Here we have Theodoor van Thulden’s “Judgment of Solomon,” an ink and pencil drawing, likely created sometime between 1616 and 1669. There’s a definite sense of drama, everyone's gesturing wildly. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Beyond the obvious drama of the scene, this piece serves as a powerful commentary on justice, power, and even early forms of gender roles. The story itself, from the Hebrew Bible, is about a wise ruler, but the visual interpretation asks us to consider the women involved and the systems that fail them. Editor: What do you mean by "systems that fail them"? Curator: Well, consider the context. Two women are fighting over a child, and the legal system of the time seems unable to determine the true mother. Solomon's solution, while seemingly wise, is also inherently violent and relies on patriarchal notions of motherhood and sacrifice. It assumes the “true” mother would sacrifice anything, even her child’s life, a very limited and prescriptive role. Editor: So, you are suggesting that we need to view the story itself critically? Curator: Precisely. Van Thulden, working within the Baroque style, presents the emotional intensity, but the very act of depicting this scene invites reflection. We can ask questions: what biases are at play in the legal proceedings? What does it mean to portray motherhood in such a binary way? And how does the presence of so many men reinforce the imbalance of power? Editor: I never thought about it that way before, focusing on the historical and societal framework of the drawing and story! Curator: That is precisely why artworks are powerful! They aren't just pretty images or depictions; they are vehicles to critically reflect on ourselves.