| The Judgement of Paris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Peter Paul Rubens |
| Year | c. 1636 |
| Dimensions | 144.8 cm × 193.7 cm (57.0 in × 76.3 in) |
| Location | National Gallery, London |
| The Judgement of Paris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Peter Paul Rubens |
| Year | 1638-1639 |
| Dimensions | 199 cm × 379 cm (78 in × 149 in) |
| Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
The Judgement of Paris refers to any of the several paintings of theJudgement of Paris produced byPeter Paul Rubens, though he did not match the 22 depictions of the subject attributed toLucas Cranach the Elder. There were versions before about 1606, then he returned to the subject thirty years later; all take the opportunity to show nude females from different angles.[1]
The large versions of 1636 in London and 1639 in Madrid are among the best known. These both show Rubens' version of idealised feminine beauty, with the goddessesAphrodite,Athena andHera on one side andParis accompanied byHermes on the other. The 1636 version has a depiction ofCupid at the far left andAlecto above the goddesses,[2] whilst the 1639 version adds a Cupid between Hera (far right) and Aphrodite (centre).
Paris is a misplaced Trojan prince working as ashepherd,[3] and is accompanied by hissheepdog; his sheep are seen behind the figures in these late paintings.
This version follows the story as narrated inLucian's 'Judgement of the Goddesses'. It shows the award of the golden apple, though alterations show Rubens first painted an earlier point in the story, when the goddesses are ordered to undress by Mercury.[4] This had been shown in at least one of the early group (now in the Prado), withputti pulling off the goddess' clothes. The painting was bought for theNational Gallery in London in 1844.[5]
There is a similar version, also of 1636 (perhaps the first to be painted), in theGemäldegalerie Alte Meister,Dresden. This is less than half the size, and has threeputti rather than one.
Painted in 1638 or 1639, this version is now in thePrado inMadrid and was completed shortly before his death while he was ill withgout. It was commissioned byPhilip IV of Spain's brotherCardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria and on Ferdinand's death moved to theSpanish royal collection. In 1788Charles III of Spain decided it was immodest and ordered it to be burned, but he died before that order could be carried out.[6]
.jpg)
.jpg)
