Artwork

Solomon's Judgement

Solomon's Judgement, by Jusepe de Ribera, oil, 1609
Solomon's Judgement, by Jusepe de Ribera, oil, 1609

Solomon's Judgement is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Jusepe de Ribera. It dates from 1609 and is held in the collection of the Galleria Borghese.

About this work

Overview

Solomon’s Judgement is a 1609 oil painting by Jusepe de Ribera, a prominent Spanish Baroque artist working in Naples. It belongs to the early Italian Baroque period and is part of the Galleria Borghese collection.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a dramatic biblical scene where King Solomon adjudicates between two women claiming the same child. The composition conveys the emotional intensity of the moment through the poses and expressions of the figures involved.

Technique & Style

Ribera employs chiaroscuro to create depth and focus attention on the central figures. The contrast between light and dark, combined with vivid colors, enhances the scene’s drama and emotional impact.

History & Provenance

Created in 1609, the painting is now held in the Galleria Borghese collection, though its history between creation and acquisition is not detailed here.

Context

As an early Italian Baroque work, it reflects the period’s emphasis on emotional depth and dramatic lighting, characteristic of the style’s development in 17th-century Naples.

Legacy

While specific influences or subsequent artistic impacts are not outlined, the painting’s effective use of Baroque techniques contributes to its place within the broader canon of early Italian Baroque art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jusepe de Ribera

Artist

Jusepe de Ribera

Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian: ; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Galleria Borghese open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.