The Judgment of Paris

Art Historical Context

This engraving, titled *The Judgment of Paris*, captures a pivotal moment from classical mythology in which the Trojan prince Paris must decide which goddess—Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite—deserves the golden apple of beauty. Created between 1501 and 1550 by Jean Mignon after a design by Luca Penni, the work reflects the Renaissance fascination with ancient stories reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. Penni, known for his work in the Fontainebleau circle, supplied the composition, while Mignon translated it into print form. As an engraving on laid paper, this piece highlights the vital role of reproductive prints in the sixteenth century. The medium allowed intricate details and dramatic narratives to reach broader audiences beyond the original drawing or painting, spreading classical themes across Europe. Measuring roughly 30 by 42 centimeters, the sheet balances intimate viewing with impressive scale, inviting close examination of its fine lines and tonal contrasts. Housed in the National Gallery of Art and acquired through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, the print exemplifies how collaborative efforts between designers and engravers preserved and popularized mythological subjects for generations of viewers.