object
Crown
Royal wisdom—paired with throne or sword of judgment, not martyr palm.
Iconography & biography archive
Era: 10th century BC (united monarchy) · JerusalemFeast: Various commemorationsCategory: Old Testament
Sources: 1 Kings 1–11; 2 Chronicles; Proverbs and Song of Songs tradition.
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Browse depictions9 works
Selected depiction
Solomon (Godfrey Sykes (1824-1866) - The Judgment of Solomon )
Wikimedia Commons
Old Testament
Solomon
King Solomon
Feast: Various commemorations
Intermediate difficulty
of David—judges between two mothers and builds the Temple in wisdom.
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Iconographic Attributes
Symbols that identify this saint in sacred art
object
Crown
Royal wisdom—paired with throne or sword of judgment, not martyr palm.
object
Book
Proverbs and wisdom literature.
symbol
Prophet's Beard
Venerable age of prophets and Baptist
object
Scepter
Traditional iconographic attribute associated with this figure in Christian art.
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Iconographic Field Guide
How to read Solomon in paintings, sculpture, and altarpieces
Judgment of Solomon (sword over infant, two women) is the narrative ID. Crown, throne, and temple model mark royal builder type. David carries harp or Goliath’s head; Solomon holds scepter and scales of judgment.
object
Book
Proverbs and wisdom literature.
symbol
Prophet's Beard
Venerable age of prophets and Baptist
object
Scepter
Traditional iconographic attribute associated with this figure in Christian art.
Typical vesture
- —royal robes
Color conventions
Artists often dress Solomon in purple, gold, crimson—these hues are not rigid rules but long-standing conventions that help recognition in polyptychs and chapel cycles.
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Visual Gallery
Selected depictions of Solomon from verified sources
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Solomon (Godfrey Sykes (1824-1866) - The Judgment of Solomon )
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Solomon (Lo Scheggia - The Judgment of Solomon (recto), ca. 1)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Solomon (Lucas Cranach the Elder, The Judgment of Solomon, 15)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Solomon (Matthias Stom - The Judgment of Solomon - 70.15 - Mu)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Solomon (Paolo Veronese - The Judgment of Solomon - KMSst275 )
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Solomon (Raffaello Sanzio - The Judgment of Solomon - WGA1883)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Solomon (Sebastiano del Piombo - The Judgment of Solomon - WG)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Solomon (The Judgment of Solomon MET DP145897.jpg)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Solomon (Valentin de Boulogne, Judgment of Solomon 01.jpg)
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Biographical Archive
Life, witness, and historical framing
is wisdom made visible. Raphael’s Vatican fresco taught generations how justice should look—two claimants, one terrible test, one true mother.
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Visual Recognition Guide
Clues ordered for museum identification
1.Crown and royal throne
King of Israel
2.Two women and a baby
Judgment of Solomon narrative
3.Temple model or architecture
Builder of the Temple
4.Book or scroll of wisdom
Proverbs and wisdom tradition
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Patronage and Devotion
Why communities invoke this figure
wisdomjudges (traditional)
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Distinguishing Similar Figures
Avoid common misidentifications in galleries
Often confused with David: Father and son kings; harp and Goliath identify David
Often confused with Saint Peter: Both hold keys in some traditions; Solomon has crown and judgment scene
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Notes from the Archive
Scholarly curiosities and cult details
- ✝Raphael’s Judgment of Solomon in the Vatican is a defining composition
At a glance
- Feast
- Various commemorations
- Category
- Old Testament
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Patron of
- wisdomjudges (traditional)
Life & legacy
Solomon is wisdom made visible. Raphael’s Vatican fresco taught generations how justice should look—two claimants, one terrible test, one true mother.
Curiosities
- Raphael’s Judgment of Solomon in the Vatican is a defining composition
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