The Judgement of Solomon

The Judgement of Solomon from around 1792 at the Fitzwilliam Museum depicts one of the Old Testament's most celebrated wisdom stories, in which King Solomon threatens to divide a disputed infant to reveal which woman is the true mother. Blake's treatment of this subject reflects his engagement with biblical narrative as a source of psychological and moral insight rather than merely doctrinal illustration. Blake created this work using his distinctive tempera or watercolor technique combined with his personal mythological vision that placed him outside the mainstream of British art while anticipating later Symbolist movements. The Solomon subject allowed Blake to explore themes of justice, wisdom, and the power of spiritual discernment over legal formalism that resonated with his broader critique of the constraining power of law and institution. The Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge holds this work within a collection that includes important examples of Blake's visual and literary art, recognizing his unique position at the intersection of poetry, prophecy, and visual imagination.

The painting showcases William Blake's skilled technique, with careful observation lending the work its distinctive character. The palette and brushwork are calibrated to serve the subject matter, demonstrating the technical command expected of a work from this period.