The Judgment of Solomon 1654 - 1714

Giuseppe Passeri’s drawing, "The Judgment of Solomon," utilizes brown wash and white chalk to capture a scene of judicial drama. The composition immediately draws us to Solomon on the left, enthroned and gesturing decisively, balanced by the clamoring figures on the right. The scene is alive with implied motion, from the executioner raising his sword to the desperate pleas of the kneeling mother. Notice how Passeri uses the contrast between light and shadow to intensify the emotional weight of the moment. The stark white chalk highlights emphasize the tension and the pivotal choice Solomon faces. But the visual elements are not merely illustrative. They are structured to communicate a deeper symbolic meaning. The architectural setting, though minimal, provides a stage for this exploration of power, justice, and maternal love. The sketch invites us to reflect on how art can use form and composition to convey profound moral narratives.