Barbara Broekman (1955) is an Amsterdam-based artist who makes monumental artworks. She mostly bases her works on textile techniques and patterns. In 2012, she created My Town, a celebration of diversity, which is in the public hallway of the Amsterdam Museum. In 2017, Broekman created the artwork Recht en Onrecht, or Justice and Injustice, for the law faculty of the University of Amsterdam, located at Roeterseiland. The enormous canvas measures 30 by 4,5 meters and spans seven floors. Through sections of historical and modern artworks, Broekman has represented jurisdiction.
In a project with teachers and students of art history and law, and with cooperation of Barbara Broekman, we reconstructed all artworks which were used in the monumental work by Broekman. We identified the figures and argued in what way the scenes or persons were connected to the themes of justice, injustice, jurisdiction, law, and good and evil. Our work is presented on the website. It allows students, staff and visitors to the law faculty to understand what they see. I have identified all figures that are visible from the fifth floor, including amongst others Sisyphus, Oedipus, Plato and Job. I have written a longer essay about the way the biblical story of Susanna and the Elders impacted present-day law.