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The Judgment of Solomon

1640s
Not on view

In a dream God granted King Solomon "a wise and an understanding heart," which the turbaned potentate made use of the following day. Two women each claimed an infant as their own, so Solomon ordered it cut in two. One of the women cried out that she would give up the child, thus revealing herself as the true mother. From 1616 until 1627 the Delft painter Bramer worked in Rome, where he adopted a broad range of dramatic ideas from Early Baroque artists, including Caravaggio and fellow Netherlanders such as Gerrit van Honthorst.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Judgment of Solomon
  • Artist: Leonaert Bramer (Dutch, Delft 1596–1674 Delft)
  • Date: 1640s
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: 31 1/8 x 40 1/2 in. (79.1 x 102.9 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of National Surety Company, 1911
  • Object Number: 11.73
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Abraham Entertaining the Three Angels, Leonaert Bramer Dutch, Brush and gray wash, heightened with white bodycolor, on blue paper; framing lines in brush and gray wash and white bodycolor
Abraham Entertaining the Three Angels
Leonaert Bramer
1620–28
Preparation for Sacrifice, Leonaert Bramer Dutch, Graphite on vellum
Preparation for Sacrifice
Leonaert Bramer
early to mid-17th century
King Midas, Leonaert Bramer Dutch, Brush and grey ink, heightened with white bodycolor; framing lines in brush and grey ink with white bodycolor
King Midas
Leonaert Bramer
1611–74
Jael and Sisera, Leonaert Bramer Dutch, Brush and grey wash, heightened with white bodycolor; framing lines in brush and gray wash and white bodycolor
Jael and Sisera
Leonaert Bramer
1611–74
A Quartet of Singers, Lute players, and Bell Ringers Playing in a Tavern by Candlelight, Leonaert Bramer Dutch, Brush drawing in gray ink, heightened with white bodycolor; framing lines in brush and gray ink with white bodycolor
A Quartet of Singers, Lute players, and Bell Ringers Playing in a Tavern by Candlelight
Leonaert Bramer
mid to late 17th century

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