Minneapolis Institute of Art

Solomon's Idolatry

Lucas van LeydenLinkedCulture matchlcp-8d0271e29b67

Date: c. 1512
Medium: Woodcut
Department: European Art
Institution: Minneapolis Institute of Art
Object ID: 57357

From the Minneapolis Institute of Art record

This print's moralizing tone is clear from the man at left, who instructs a mustachioed dandy on how a woman can turn even the wise Solomon into a fool. Related to the Power of Women theme is the folly of caring too deeply about temporal qualities such as strength and wisdom, and the idol here reflects this idea. The military costume suggests the vanity of power; the skull symbolizes the transience of earthly pursuits. The sin of lust is represented by the two dogs sitting just where Solomon's sword points. Netherlands, Europe

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