The classical mythological story about Paris, the son of a Trojan king, ends with a tragic error of judgement. He must choose the most beautiful of the three goddesses Hera, Athena or Aphrodite. Each goddess promises him something: Hera offers him power, Athena offers him wisdom and Aphrodite promises him
The classical mythological story about Paris, the son of a Trojan king, ends with a tragic error of judgement. He must choose the most beautiful of the three goddesses Hera, Athena or Aphrodite. Each goddess promises him something: Hera offers him power, Athena offers him wisdom and Aphrodite promises him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris chooses Aphrodite. Helena the most beautiful mortal is married to the Spartan King Menelaos. Her abduction leads to the Trojan war and the downfall of Troy.
Compared with other depictions of the subject, not only by Cranach, but also by other artists the painting in Berlin is characterized by the fact that the goddesses are indistinguishable. All three wear nothing more than a thin veil, which doesn't conceal their body and numerous necklaces. Two of them look towards Paris, whereas the third one, who touches his armor, looks out at the viewer. Behind the goddesses the messenger Hermes has raised his staff with which he beats Paris on the chest, warning him of female seduction with a loud cry and admonishing him to make a prudent decision.
The scene takes place against a backdrop of thick undergrowth where Paris's white horse stands and beyond which a landscape unfolds. A cherub hovers in the sky above with his bow drawn.
[see Elke A. Werner, Exhib. Cat. Berlin 2009, 202, no. III.21
- Attributions
-
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder
Lucas Cranach the Elder (workshop)
Attributions
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder | [Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten, Berlin - Brandenburg, revised 2011] [Exhib. Cat. Berlin 1937, no. 116] |
Lucas Cranach the Elder (workshop) | Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop (Lucas Cranach the Younger?) [Sandner et al. 2015, 132] |
Lucas Cranach the Younger | 'seems more like Lucas Cranach the Younger' |
- Production dates
- about 1540 - 1545
after 1537
Production dates
about 1540 - 1545 | [Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten, Berlin - Brandenburg, revised 2011] |
about 1540 | [Exhib. Cat. Berlin 1937, no. 116] |
after 1537 | [Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979, 153, No. 409B] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 209.5 x 107.2 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 209.5 x 107.2 cm
[Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten, Berlin - Brandenburg, revised 2011]
- Signature / Dating
none
- Owner
- Stiftung Preussische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg
- Repository
- Grunewald hunting lodge
- Location
- Grunewald
- CDA ID
- DE_SPSG_GKI1185
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR409B
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SPSG_GKI1185/