The Judgment of Paris

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Judgment of Paris*, a captivating etching and engraving by the Italian master Giulio Bonasone, created around 1550–60. This print dramatizes the ancient Greek myth where the Trojan prince Paris must choose the fairest goddess among Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite— a decision sparked by discord at a divine wedding that ignited the Trojan War. Bonasone's composition bursts with dynamic energy, featuring graceful male and female nudes, majestic horses, and ethereal angels, evoking the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity and human form. As a virtuoso of printmaking, Bonasone masterfully combined etching's fluid lines with engraving's precise detail, allowing intricate shading and texture on this large sheet (nearly 12 x 18 inches). This mixed technique was revolutionary in the 16th century, enabling affordable reproduction of grand mythological scenes inspired by paintings, making high art accessible beyond elite patrons. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired via the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1953), the work exemplifies Mannerist elegance—elongated figures and theatrical poses—while celebrating the nude as a symbol of beauty and divine rivalry. A window into Renaissance cultural life, it reminds us how myths shaped art and imagination.

About the Artist

Giulio Bonasone · 1500–1600

Comment on works: History; Mythology