“The Judgement of Solomon (I Kings, III, 16-27)” is an artwork created by Marc Chagall around 1956 in France. The piece, an etching on paper, is part of the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and belongs to the genre of religious painting. Measuring 32.9 x 22.9 cm, the artwork is included in the series “Etchings for the Bible (1930-1939; 1952-1956).”
The artwork illustrates the biblical story of the Judgement of Solomon. It depicts the moment when King Solomon, seated on his throne, commands a soldier with a sword to divide a living child between two women who claim to be the mother. One woman passionately pleads on her knees, while the other stands with outstretched arms, creating a dramatic scene underscored by the strong use of line and composition. The background displays classic columns, enhancing the solemnity and grandeur of the setting. The etching vividly captures the emotion and tension of this moral and poignant biblical tale.
