In the year 1514, the Netherlandish artist Lucas van Leyden crafted a remarkable engraving that delved into the biblical narrative of King Solomon’s idolatry. This piece, now known as “Solomon’s Idolatry,” is a visual exploration of the cautionary tale from the Bible, where Solomon, the wise and powerful King of Israel, succumbs to the influence of his numerous foreign wives and concubines, leading him to worship their native gods.
The story of Solomon’s idolatry is a complex one, involving his love for many women who were not of his faith, as detailed in the historical texts. These relationships led him to build a temple outside Jerusalem dedicated to pagan deities such as Diana and Minerva, where incense was burned and sacrifices were made. The biblical account, specifically in 1 Kings 11, describes how Solomon’s heart was turned away from God as he grew older, influenced by his seven hundred royal wives and three hundred concubines. His deviation from a devout path ultimately caused God to reject him as king.
Lucas van Leyden’s engraving is part of a series known as the Power of Women, which includes other figures like Adam, Samson, Aristotle, and Virgil, all led astray by the allure of women. In this particular work, the dominant figure of a woman, possibly representing Solomon’s foreign wives, is adorned with a feathered hat, emphasizing her exotic nature and heretical beliefs. The engraving serves as a visual admonition, warning viewers of the dangers of being misled by beauty and desire, echoing the sentiment found in Ecclesiasticus 9:8.
The artwork itself is not currently on view, but it remains an important part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is preserved and made accessible through the museum’s Open Access policy. This policy allows the public to freely use images of the engraving for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.
Lucas van Leyden’s “Solomon’s Idolatry” stands as a testament to the enduring power of visual art to communicate moral lessons and historical narratives. It captures a pivotal moment in biblical history, serving as a reminder of the perils of forsaking one’s faith for personal desires.
