Het oordeel van Paris c. 1550 - 1575

This lead roundel, "The Judgement of Paris," was created by Hans (?) Jamnitzer. The circular composition, with its shallow relief, pulls our eyes across a tapestry of figures and dense foliage. Jamnitzer uses the round shape to suggest a self-contained world where classical myth plays out. Observe how the figures of Paris, Venus, Juno, and Minerva are rendered with a sculptural quality that recalls ancient cameos, yet they're set within a forest teeming with life. The texture, achieved through meticulous carving, gives the scene a sense of depth, albeit compressed. Consider the formal arrangement: Paris stands on the right, offering the golden apple, while the goddesses vie for his attention. This arrangement isn't just narrative. It's a study in contrasts between idealized forms and the chaotic backdrop of nature. It's a microcosm of beauty, judgement, and their consequences, all framed within the unyielding structure of the roundel.