The Judgement of Paris

probably 1632–35

Oil on oak panel, 144.8 × 193.7 cm · National Gallery, London

A late Rubens that he reworked and enlarged himself, then another artist altered in France between about 1676 and 1727. The later hand toned it down: removing putti and satyrs and making Paris point the apple at Venus.

Venus, in the centre, receives the apple, with Cupid behind her.
Minerva’s owl sits in the tree; Juno’s peacock hisses at Paris’s dog.
The Fury Alecto lurks in the clouds, foretelling the war.
Bought by the National Gallery in 1844.

Paris, a Trojan prince, judged which goddess was fairest. Juno offered power and wealth, Minerva wisdom, and Venus the most beautiful woman alive, Helen, whose abduction started the war.

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain