Oordeel van Paris 1580 - 1596

Zacharias Dolendo created this engraving, "Oordeel van Paris," in the late 16th century, a period defined by the rise of printmaking as a powerful means of disseminating ideas and images. The artwork depicts the classical myth of the Judgement of Paris, a narrative laden with themes of beauty, desire, and fateful choices. Paris, a mortal shepherd, is tasked with selecting the fairest among three goddesses—Juno, Venus, and Minerva—each offering him a bribe for his favor. Venus promises him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Troy, leading Paris to choose her and igniting the Trojan War. Dolendo's portrayal invites us to reflect on the construction of beauty standards, and the objectification of women as bargaining chips in a world driven by male desire and power. It's difficult not to consider how this story and its visual representations have shaped, and continue to shape, our understanding of gender, power, and the often destructive nature of desire.