Paris leaning on tree stump, back view, from "Oeuvre de Canova: Recueil de Statues..." 1817

Angelo Testa created this engraving, "Paris leaning on tree stump, back view," as part of the "Oeuvre de Canova: Recueil de Statues..." The artwork presents a classical male nude, a representation deeply embedded in Western art history. Here, Paris, of Trojan War fame, is depicted from behind, casually posed, holding the apple of discord. It is an image steeped in the aesthetic and cultural values of its time, reflecting the Neoclassical movement's interest in idealizing the human form and referencing ancient Greek and Roman art. Consider the male gaze inherent in this portrayal, framing Paris as an object of beauty and desire. How does the artwork negotiate narratives around masculinity, beauty, and power? The statue hints at the complex power dynamics and the male gaze that have historically shaped artistic representations of the human form.