The Judgement of Paris (1589, Met-Objekt 6042)
Original title: The Judgement of Paris
kurzbeschreibung
Raphael Sadeler I engraved this print in 1589, capturing the Trojan prince Paris as he hands the apple to the fairest of the three goddesses. It belongs among the mythological prints of the late sixteenth century.
Description
Paris sits at the centre, surrounded by Venus, Hera and Athena. Venus wears a diadem and a full gown, while the other two appear more scantily dressed. Paris holds an apple inscribed with the words 'Deified Love'. Further figures, angels and a landscape of trees and rocks enliven the sides and the distance. The layout feels restless, with the figures turned in several directions at once.
Context
The engraving was made in Antwerp in 1589, where Raphael Sadeler I worked as a copperplate engraver. The Judgment of Paris was hugely popular in the Renaissance and Mannerist periods and was often read as an allegory of beauty and discernment. Sadeler produced many reproductive prints after other artists' work; for this sheet the source model is not clearly established.
Impact
Even light and precise lines draw the viewer straight into the mythological action, held in a quiet tension by the detailed execution and the lively arrangement of the figures. Each gesture invites a closer look.
Technique
For this copperplate engraving the lines are cut directly into the copper plate. Shading and detail come about solely through lines and stippling. The even grey tone of the impression is characteristic of this printing method.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)