Allegory of Justice
Today, let's examine this work by Jean-Marc Nattier, which is stuck between Baroque and Rococo and tells about the struggle between justice and injustice. This work, which the artist painted in 1737, is known as both 'Allegory of Justice' and 'Justice Punishes Injustice'.
Although this work exhibits most of the features of Baroque paintings, which present instant impact and movement to the audience with theatrical expressions and intense shadow-light games, it is actually a work made during the Rococo period.
However, Rococo is an art style that emerged in France in the early 18th century and was very influential, especially in France, until 1770. Rococo art has a much softer painting language than Baroque art.
Elegant figures, charm, sense of humor and eroticism are very important. Rococo art generally contradicts the serious and heavy subjects of Baroque art.
Although the work we are examining today was made in the Rococo period, it can be said that Jean-Marc produced a work that is closer to the understanding of the Baroque period.
Because it presents a serious subject with a touch of the Baroque period, far from the flirtations, eroticism, furtive love scenes, pink tones, fairy-tale effect and sense of humor that we encountered in the Rococo period. In addition, the subject he chooses is generally allegories that were common in the Baroque period. Among the allegorical figures we see in the work, in our opinion, the one on the left is the figure of Justice.
Especially in the Baroque period, Justice figures are commonly depicted in white clothes. Because white symbolizes purity and it is intended to be explained that justice is morally spotless. Sometimes we can see a dog figure next to the justice figure, and this is a symbol of loyalty. Of course, the most important symbol of the figure of justice is the scales. However, in this work we see that the scales are in the hands of another figure. In accordance with the baroque art concept that loves contrasts, the figure of justice is depicted with white skin, while the figure of injustice is depicted with darker skin. It is presented to the viewer with a visual balance created by contrasts such as good and bad - black and white.
Another symbol of justice is the sword, but here we see the sword in the hand of the Injustice figure. The figure of justice is depicted as about to punish the figure of injustice who stole his sword and scales. In his hand we see a staff with a tip shaped like a hand. The slap of justice is about to fall on the head of the figure of Injustice...
In his hand we see a staff with a tip shaped like a hand. The slap of justice is about to fall on the head of the figure of Injustice... This work was commissioned by Jean Philippe d'Orleans, the abbot of the Knights Templar in France. In fact, it is not only this work that we examined, but also many paintings were commissioned under the name of the 'Virtues' series.
Jean Philippe orders these specifically for the decoration of his home, and this actually eliminates many question marks about the general composition of the painting. The answer to the question of why a French painter is closer to the Baroque style, which originated in Italy and is now a bit outdated, although he lived in the Rococo period, actually lies in the person who placed the order. Because a Knight Templar abbot did not like the humor and eroticism of Rococo very much, and instead of looking at erotic and humorous paintings as a proud knight and clergyman in his palatial house in the Palas du Temple, he ordered a series about 'Virtue' allegories. Taking into account the sensitivity of its author, he presents this work stuck between two periods. Let's come to the figure of Injustice cowering in the right corner...
Do you see the pearls on Injustice's head and the furs on her? He looks so rich, doesn't he?
All the vile emotions such as injustice, unfair gain, greed, arrogance and ambition are loaded onto this figure. Even though he tries to escape from the figure of justice, he still gives spiteful looks. The scales of justice are tipped upside down in his hands. However, the most disturbing thing here is that he carries the sword of justice. What injustice wants most is to take this sword from the hands of justice. We see in this picture that he achieved this. The moment we look at him as an audience, we feel that he will not use this sword to distribute justice, but to ensure his own justice, to disperse his own judgments and to achieve his own ambitions.
From this moment on, we are waiting for the moment when the power of justice will explode in the minds of this injustice, the scales will fall into the hands of its real owner and the sword will bleed to punish the unjust...
Thank you for reading, stay with art…
