Cambyses Commanding the Flaying of the Judge Sisamnes, from Thronus Justitiae, tredecim pulcherrimus tabulis..., plate 6

Art Historical Context

Step into the dramatic world of justice and retribution with *Cambyses Commanding the Flaying of the Judge Sisam*, plate 6 from the series *Thronus Justitiae* ("Throne of Justice"), around 1605–6. This striking engraving, measuring nearly 12 by 15 inches, was a collaborative triumph: designed by Mannerist master Joachim Wtewael with engraving by Willem van Swanenburg woodcutting details by Christoffel vanhem I. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, it exemplifies the Northern Mannerist style's intricate compositions and moral storytelling. The scene draws from Herodotus's ancient account of Persian King Cambyses II punishing the corrupt judge Sisamnes by ordering his flaying alive. His skin was then stretched over a chair for his son, the new judge—a grim warning against bribery. Part of a 13-plate series on judicial themes, this work reflects early 17th-century Dutch fascination with classical history as a mirror for contemporary ethics, blending architecture, soldiers armed with bows and arrows, and tense figures to heighten the horror and moral urgency. Engraving's precision allowed for widespread dissemination of such vivid narratives, making complex lessons accessible. Wtewael's elegant, elongated figures and the engravers' fine lines capture a theatrical intensity, inviting viewers to ponder timeless questions of power and accountability in this Elisha Whittelsey Collection gem.