The judgment of Pâris

The Judgment of Pâris
Oil on canvas 17th century.
Carved wooden frame gilded with gold XVIIIth century.
Dimensions: 29.5 cm x 34.3 cm (without the frame), and 39 cm x 44.5 cm (with the frame).

In Greek mythology, the Judgment of Paris is an important episode which puts the goddesses Hera, Athena and Aphrodite in competition, and prefigures the Trojan War. This episode is the origin of the expression “bone of discord”.

The episode of the Judgment of Paris has had significant success in art, whether in Antiquity, the Renaissance or in the Contemporary era. Indeed, with the return to the antique model in these last two periods, many themes from Greek and Roman mythology have been represented. Great artists, and others lesser known, have tried it and come up with their own version. Moreover, it is a success in the ages and the different regions of Europe, since this theme has been treated both in the North and in the South. It's interesting how an episode like this turns out to be an indicator of artistic evolution.

Almost generally, the works take up an iconography composed of the five main characters: Paris, Hera, Athena, Aphrodite and Hermes. Sometimes can also be found Cupid, Eros and Psyche. The characters are represented in a meadow or at the edge of a forest. The three goddesses are mostly naked or bare, being judged by the eyes of Paris, who can sometimes hand the golden apple to Aphrodite.