Judgment of Solomon
Medium
Pen and brown ink, with brush and brown wash, over traces of black chalk, on brown laid paper, laid down on blue wove paper
Dimensions
25.3 × 38 cm (10 × 15 in.)
Classification
ink or chalk wash
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
81669
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Judgment of Solomon*, masterful preparatory drawing by the Baroque genius Pietro da Cortona (6–1669). This undated work captures the dramatic biblical tale from 1 Kings 3, where King Solomon astutely resolves a maternity dispute by proposing to divide a living child in two—prompting the true mother to relinquish her claim in mercy. Cortona, a leading figure in Roman Baroque art famed for his sweeping frescoes like those in the Barberini Palace, infuses the scene with emotional intensity and theatrical movement, hallmarks of the era's emphasis on drama and human passion. Executed in pen and brown ink with brush and brown wash over faint black chalk traces on warm brown laid paper (later laid down on blue wove paper for preservation), the 25.3 × 38 cm sheet showcases Cortona's virtuoso draftsmanship. The monochromatic wash builds depth and shadow, evoking chiaroscuro effects akin to his paintings, while the fluid lines convey dynamic figures in fervent gesture—a technique that bridged studio preparation and grand commissions. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this ink wash drawing exemplifies 17th-century Italian mastery, offering visitors a window into the creative process of Baroque artistry. Its cultural resonance endures, symbolizing divine wisdom amid human conflict.
About the Artist
Pietro da Cortona · 1596–1669
Son of Giovanni Berretoni, decorative carver. Born 1 November 1596, died 16 May 1669.