The artwork, “The Judgement of Solomon” by Giorgione, was created in 1505 and is housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. This High Renaissance oil painting on canvas measures 89 x 72 cm and belongs to the religious painting genre.
The artwork depicts the biblical story of the Judgement of Solomon, a dramatic and tense moment where King Solomon is making his wise judgement. The composition is rich and dynamic, featuring a group of people gathered around a central figure who is likely Solomon, seated elevated to the right and pointing decisively. The scene takes place in an outdoor setting with lush trees and distant architectural structures that provide depth to the background. The figures are dressed in contemporary 16th-century attire, and the vibrant use of color as well as the meticulous attention to detail in their expressions and gestures heighten the emotional intensity of the scene. Embedded within the composition is a powerful narrative conveyed through the positioning and interaction of the characters, reflecting Giorgione’s mastery of storytelling through visual art.
