Crown
Royal wisdom—paired with throne or sword of judgment, not martyr palm.
Old Testament
Solomon
King Solomon
A king, two women and a disputed child form the scene of Solomon’s judgement. The figures’ gestures help explain his decision.
The judgment of SolomonMatthias Stom · 1640
01 / 05
- Feast
- Various commemorations
- Era
- 10th century BC (united monarchy) · Jerusalem
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Iconographic Attributes
Iconographic field guide
Identifying features
Judgment of Solomon (sword over infant, two women) is the narrative ID. Crown, throne, and temple model mark royal builder type. David carries harp or Goliath’s head; Solomon holds scepter and scales of judgment.
- Clothing
- royal robes
- Colours
- purple · gold · crimson
- Symbols
- crown · temple · ring
Book
Proverbs and wisdom literature.
Prophet's Beard
Venerable age of prophets and Baptist
scepter
Traditional iconographic attribute associated with this figure in Christian art.
Visual Gallery
Works / 05The judgment of SolomonMatthias Stom · 1640
The judgment of SolomonRaphael · 1518–1519
The judgment of SolomonSebastiano del Piombo · 1508–1510
The judgment of SolomonLeonaert Bramer
The judgment of SolomonValentin de Boulogne · c. 1620
Biography
Life & legacy
1 Kings 3The First Book of Kings describes Solomon asking for wisdom to govern. His judgment between two women claiming the same child became one of his most familiar subjects in art. The threatened division of the child reveals the mother prepared to give him up to save his life.
1 Kings 1–11; 2 Chronicles; Proverbs and Song of Songs tradition.
Representation in Sacred Art
Narrative scenes to recognize
Judgment of Solomon
Queen of Sheba
dedication of the Temple
Visual Recognition Guide
1.Crown and royal throne
King of Israel
2.Two women and a baby
Judgment of Solomon narrative
3.Temple model or architecture
Builder of the Temple
4.Book or scroll of wisdom
Proverbs and wisdom tradition
Distinguishing Similar Figures
Often confused with David: Father and son kings; harp and Goliath identify David
Often confused with Saint Peter: Both hold keys in some traditions; Solomon has crown and judgment scene
Notes from the Archive
- Raphael’s Judgment of Solomon in the Vatican is a defining composition
Practice
