Judgement Of Paris Essay

The figures portrayed in The Judgement of Paris by Ludovico David c. 1690 (68” x 96 ½”), found in the Ringling Museum of Arts, come together harmoniously to describe a well-known story as well as evoke a range of emotions. The event shown in the painting, done with oil on canvas, reveals the aftermath of the Judgement of Paris. The tale, which originated from Greek mythology, recounts a contest that was held in order to determine who was the most beautiful out of three goddesses. A shepard, Paris, was appointed by Zeus to adjudicate such an exasperating challenge. The three goddesses: Athena (goddess of wisdom and war), Hera (wife of Zeus), and Aphrodite (goddess of love), each offered their own rewards in order to coax Paris into choosing them. In the

After doing some basic research about the piece, I was able to learn more about what David was trying to capture in his piece as well as more about the background and original folktale itself. I find it very intriguing that David made a piece of art out of something which already existed in the minds of others. Because this is something that normally is not given a visual aid, the people who have heard the tale all have their own interpretations and images they have given the characters and scenery in their own minds. Despite this, David used his interpretation to create this piece, which I find very bold. I believe David wanted to take something well known and put it in a new light. By doing so, not only does the story become more heard and familiar, but it gives it an overall added sense of meaning. The way David placed the figures and emphasized the goddesses’ beauty and elegance really completes his overall painting and makes it successful. He stayed true to the art style of both his time and how the Greek’s pictured their gods and