The Judgment of Paris

Art Historical Context

This circular drawing by Flemish artist Pieter de Jode I captures the timeless myth of the Judgment of Paris, in which the Trojan prince selects the most beautiful among the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Created in the late 16th to mid-17th century, the work reflects the enduring Renaissance fascination with classical narratives and the human form, rendered here with graceful male and female nudes that emphasize both anatomical detail and narrative drama. Executed in pen and brown ink with wash, heightened by white over black chalk, the drawing measures just seven inches across. This intimate scale and meticulous technique highlight de Jode’s skill as a draftsman, likely preparing a design for an engraving or print. The combination of line and tonal wash creates a luminous, sculptural quality, inviting viewers to appreciate the subtle modeling of figures within the compact round format. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2002, the sheet offers a window into the collaborative world of Northern European printmaking, where such studies bridged painting, drawing, and reproduction for wider audiences.