Trajan's Justice 1537

"Trajan's Justice" is a 1537 engraving by the German artist Sebald Beham (1500-1550). The image depicts a scene from Roman history, in which Emperor Trajan judges a woman who has killed her son in a fit of rage, while his soldiers look on. Beham's meticulous detail and use of line create a dramatic and powerful image, conveying the severity of Trajan's justice and the emotional weight of the scene. The image is a notable example of Northern Renaissance printmaking, known for its intricate detail and emphasis on line. This artwork, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, continues to fascinate audiences with its historical depiction and strong visual impact.