GREEK MYTHOLOGY IN ART - JUDGEMENT OF PARIS
The Judgement of Paris is one of the most often depicted of events of Greek mythology, and appears in countless works by countless artists over the centuries. One such work was the Judgement of Paris by Peter Paul Rubens 1632-1635.
Judgement of Paris - Peter Paul Rubens 1632-1635
Rubens and the Judgement of Paris
The Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, is one of Europe’s most famous painters, historically, and his works are housed the most famous museums and galleries around the world wide. Rubens was born in 1577, and died in 1640, and his paintings were painted from the late 1590s through to his death.
This example of The Judgement of Paris was probably painted between 1632 and 1635, and is painted with oil paints on wood, potentially oak in the Baroque Style.. The Judgement of Paris measures 144.8 × 193.7 cm, with the painting framed in a 17th century French Frame.
The Judgement of Paris by Rubens would arrive in the collection housed at the National Gallery, when it was purchased at auction. The auction, held by Messrs. Christie and Manson, commonly known as Christie’s, took place in 1844 when Major John Prentice, the famed soldier, sold 25 works previously housed at Wilton House, upon the death of his father, also John Prentice. The purchase price was 4000 guineas.
This example of The Judgement of Paris was probably painted between 1632 and 1635, and is painted with oil paints on wood, potentially oak in the Baroque Style.. The Judgement of Paris measures 144.8 × 193.7 cm, with the painting framed in a 17th century French Frame.
The Judgement of Paris by Rubens would arrive in the collection housed at the National Gallery, when it was purchased at auction. The auction, held by Messrs. Christie and Manson, commonly known as Christie’s, took place in 1844 when Major John Prentice, the famed soldier, sold 25 works previously housed at Wilton House, upon the death of his father, also John Prentice. The purchase price was 4000 guineas.
The Mythological Tale Behind the Painting
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The Judgement of Paris in Greek mythology is one of the starting points of the Trojan War, and is an event that appears in Homer’s Iliad, as well as other sources from antiquity. For this version of the Greek mythological tale in art, Rubens is said to have been inspired by the words of Lucian in the Dialogues of the Gods 20.
In its simplest terms, the Judgement of Paris, shows three Greek goddesses, Hera, Athena and Aphrodite, undressing in front of a shepherd, Paris, whilst Hermes looks on. This scene though, is the culmination of earlier events. Paris, the shepherd, is actually a Trojan prince, the son of King Priam, who had been abandoned to die, whilst still a baby; for it has been foretold by Aesacus, that the baby would bring destruction to Troy. Paris though, had survived, and he grew up as a shepherd, but one with a reputation for being fair and sound when judgements were to be made. At the time shortly before the event displayed in the painting, the wedding of Peleus and Thetis had taken place, where all the gods and goddesses had been invited to the ceremony. That was all the goddesses aside from Eris, the goddess of Strife. An angry Eris decided to have revenge and amongst the assembled guests, Eris threw a Golden Apple, on which was proclaimed “for the fairest”. |
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This caused controversy, for three goddesses claimed the Apple; these being Hera, wife of Zeus, Athena, goddess of Wisdom, and Aphrodite, goddess of Beauty. Zeus, sensibly, would not decide who was the fairest of the three, and so decided that the previously incorruptible Paris should decide.
The first signs that Paris was not as fair as had previously been evidenced, was the fact that in order to make his decision, he decided that each of the goddesses should be naked. Such hubris was enough for others to have been blinded or killed, but each goddess wanted to be known as the “fairest” that each acquiesced. No longer incorruptible, the goddess now sought to bribe Paris. Hera offered him wealth and power, Athena offered wisdom and strength, whilst Aphrodite offered him the hand in marriage of the most beautiful woman in the world. The most beautiful woman being Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta, and the daughter of Zeus.
In Ruben’s depiction, Paris holds out the Golden Apple to Aphrodite, for he forsaked power and wisdom in favour of marriage.
This decision of course brought forth the wrath of the other two goddesses, and a less obvious feature of The Judgement of Paris, is the fact that Alecto, one of the Erinyes, is seen in the clouds, and Hera now commands that death and destruction should be brought to Troy. For now, although Paris is aided by Aphrodite in the abduction of the Helen, ships gathered at Aulis to commence the Trojan War.
The first signs that Paris was not as fair as had previously been evidenced, was the fact that in order to make his decision, he decided that each of the goddesses should be naked. Such hubris was enough for others to have been blinded or killed, but each goddess wanted to be known as the “fairest” that each acquiesced. No longer incorruptible, the goddess now sought to bribe Paris. Hera offered him wealth and power, Athena offered wisdom and strength, whilst Aphrodite offered him the hand in marriage of the most beautiful woman in the world. The most beautiful woman being Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta, and the daughter of Zeus.
In Ruben’s depiction, Paris holds out the Golden Apple to Aphrodite, for he forsaked power and wisdom in favour of marriage.
This decision of course brought forth the wrath of the other two goddesses, and a less obvious feature of The Judgement of Paris, is the fact that Alecto, one of the Erinyes, is seen in the clouds, and Hera now commands that death and destruction should be brought to Troy. For now, although Paris is aided by Aphrodite in the abduction of the Helen, ships gathered at Aulis to commence the Trojan War.
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Colin Quartermain - Judgement of Paris Rubens 1632-1635 - 31st January 2026