The Judgment of Solomon
c. 1475–1500
Medium
Engraving on paper
Dimensions
25.9 × 22 cm (10 1/4 × 8 11/16 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
64364
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Like Israhel van Meckenem’s Christ among the Doctors (1956.823) this engraving by an unknown Netherlandish artist features a dramatic pavement that offsets an opulent throne to draw the viewer into an intellectual demonstration. This sheet illustrates a story from the life of King Solomon, who was renowned for his wisdom. One day he judged the case of two children, one of whom had recently died, and two women claiming to be the mother of the survivor. He threatened to divide the child between th...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...