# The Judgment of Solomon

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/claeissens-antoon-r356717dfec4502/the-judgment-of-solomon-r9800d60b95ae0e>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [CLAEISSENS, Antoon](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/claeissens-antoon-r356717dfec4502>)
- Date: 1551-1600
- Technique: Oil on panel, 100 x 128 cm

## Commentary

According to the biblical story Solomon was called upon to judge between the claims of two prostitutes who dwelt in one house, each of whom had given birth to a child at the same time. One infant had died and each woman then claimed that the other belonged to her. To determine the truth the king ordered a sword to be brought, saying, &#39;Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.&#39; At this, the true mother revealed herself by renouncing her claim to the child in order that its life might be spared. The child was restored to her.

## Related artworks

- [Banquet](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/claeissens-antoon-r356717dfec4502/banquet-ra42447faa442f2>)
- [Mars Vanquishing Ignorance](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/claeissens-antoon-r356717dfec4502/mars-vanquishing-ignorance-rfe826f2c173de4>)
- [Virgin and Child with St Anne](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/claeissens-antoon-r356717dfec4502/virgin-and-child-with-st-anne-rd35ba23b045115>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)