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A semi-naked, swarthy executioner strides in with his arm raised, he is ready to divide a living baby into two. Solomon sits on his throne, accompanied by a priest, a man in armour, and possibly his sons, Reheboam and Prince Azariah. The King is about to settle the dispute between two prostitutes over whose baby had not died. The real mother reveals herself by giving up her claim to the child in order that the baby lives, whilst the other points accusingly. This biblical story of justice is told in the Book of Kings.

The subject suggests it may originally have been commissioned for one of the courtrooms in the Doge's Palace in Venice by Andrea Loredan, where it was recorded as being seen, although unfinished, in 1648.

When the poet Byron encouraged William Bankes to buy it from the Marescalchi collection in Bologna in 1820 it was attributed to the artist Giorgione, a Venetian contemporary of Sebastiano del Piombo.

National Trust, Kingston Lacy

Wimborne Minster

Title

The Judgement of Solomon

Date

1505–1510

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 175.5 x W 289.5 cm

Accession number

1257074

Acquisition method

bequeathed by Ralph Bankes, 1981

Work type

Painting

National Trust, Kingston Lacy

Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 4EA England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

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Artist or maker

Sebastiano del Piombo

c.1485–1547

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