Justitia c. 1660s

Gesina ter Borch created this pen and brown ink drawing, titled "Justitia," in the Netherlands during the 17th century. Here, we see Lady Justice, a familiar allegorical figure, holding her scales. But Ter Borch's depiction offers more than just a standard representation. The inclusion of a palm tree, a symbol of victory and immortality, alongside Justice raises intriguing questions. Was Ter Borch commenting on the nature of justice in her time? What kind of victory does this Justice promise, and for whom? During the Dutch Golden Age, the Republic was establishing its identity, and images of Justice would be loaded with meaning. By looking into legal and political debates of the time, we can start to see how Ter Borch's drawing might have been involved in the social conversations of its day.