The Judgment of Paris
by CORNELIS VAN HAARLEM, Oil on panel, 40 x 52 cm
In this Mannerist painting the figures appear in a stage like setting. The three seated female figures on the right may be identified with the three Graces of Venus’ entourage. On the left we see Minerva with her back to the viewer, separate from the central group, getting dressed with the pose of an antique sculpture.
The painting is signed and dated on the stone serving Paris as a seat.
Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 3 minutes):
Cristoph Willibald Gluck: Paride ed Elena, Paris’ aria