2b. Meeting between the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon

To the right we see the Queen of Sheba’s encounter with Solomon, which takes place in a temple-like structure. Solomon stands with his courtiers; the queen, entering from the right, deferentially bows to him. The queen prophesied to Solomon that the dominion of the Jews would one day be destroyed by the man who would hang from that beam. Solomon’s response was to have the beam sunk in a well.

This famous scene takes place within an architectural structure, enlivened by decorations of coloured marble. Everything seems created according to architectural principles: even the three ladies standing behind the Queen are placed so as to form a sort of open church apse behind her. There is a real sense of spatial depth between the characters witnessing the event; and their heads, one behind the other, are placed on different planes. This distinction of spatial spaces is emphasized also by the different colour tonalities, with which Piero has by this stage in his career entirely replaced his technique of outlining the shapes used in previous frescoes.

There is an overall feeling of solemn rituality, rather like a lay ceremony: from Solomon’s priestly gravity to the ladies aristocratic dignity. Each figure, thanks to the slightly lowered viewpoint, becomes more imposing and graceful; Piero even succeeds in making the characteristic figure of the fat courtier on the left, dressed in red, looks dignified.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 3 minutes):

George Frideric Handel: Solomon - The arrival of the Queen of Sheba