Das Urteil Salomons

Art Historical Context

**Das Urteil Salomons by Franz Anton Maulber, created around 1785–1790, vividly captures the biblical tale from the Old Testament where King Solomon wisely resolves a dispute between two women claiming the same infant. In this oil on canvas (150 × 115 cm), Maulbertsch dramatizes the moment of judgment, with Solomon's dramatic decree to divide the child revealing the true mother's compassion. Housed in Vienna's Belvedere Collection, painting exemplifies late 18th-century Austrian religious and history painting. Maulbertsch, a leading Austrian artist of the late Baroque and Rococo periods (1724–1796), was renowned for his frescoes and altarpieces across Central Europe. His style features swirling compositions, luminous colors, and theatrical lighting inspired by Venetian masters like Tiepolo, infusing moral narratives with emotional intensity. Oil on canvas allowed him to achieve rich textures and glowing effects, making this work ideal for grand ecclesiastical or courtly settings. This piece highlights Maulbertsch's mastery in conveying human drama and divine wisdom, reflecting Enlightenment-era fascination with rational justice amid Rococo exuberance. A gem of the Belvedere's holdings, it invites visitors to ponder timeless themes of truth and motherhood through its dynamic energy.

About the Artist

Franz Anton Maulbertsch · 1724–1796

Comment on works: Allegory; Portraits; Religious