The Judgment of Paris

Art Historical Context

Giulio Bonasone's *The Judgment of Paris*, a 16th-century etching, captures a timeless episode from classical mythology. In the tale, the Trojan prince Paris must decide which goddess—Hera,, or Aphrodite—is fairest, a choice that sparks the Trojan War. Bonasone's composition bursts with dynamic figures: nude men and women, along with horses, embodying the Renaissance fascination with ancient Greek and Roman stories. Produced on a grand sheet measuring nearly 12 by 18 inches, this print exemplifies the era's revival of pagan themes amid the Catholic Church's cultural influence. As an early master of etching, Bonasone helped elevate the medium beyond engraving's rigid lines. Etching allowed for softer, more fluid strokes, mimicking drawing's spontaneity and enabling intricate shading on metal plates bitten by acid. Active in Bologna and Rome, Bonasone often reproduced works by Raphael and others, blending Mannerist elegance with mythological drama. This piece highlights printmaking's role in democratizing art, making elite subjects accessible to collectors across Europe. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, thanks to The Elisha Whittelsey Collection (1949), *The Judgment of Paris* invites us to ponder beauty's perils—much like Paris himself. A stunning fusion of sensuality and storytelling.

About the Artist

Giulio Bonasone · 1500–1600

Comment on works: History; Mythology