Oordeel van Paris 1650 - 1682

This engraving by Jean Lepautre depicts "The Judgement of Paris." Here, we see Paris, son of King Priam, tasked with a fateful decision: to award the golden apple to the fairest amongst Juno, Pallas, and Venus. The golden apple itself is a powerful symbol. Initially meant to incite discord, it represents beauty and desire, becoming a catalyst for profound consequences. Observe how Venus receives the prize, a decision that sets in motion the events leading to the Trojan War. This moment, charged with beauty and jealousy, echoes through time, reappearing in various guises in art and literature. Think of Eve offering the apple to Adam. Consider the psychological weight of such choices. Lepautre captures not just a mythological scene, but a moment laden with human flaws, desires, and the seeds of destruction. This image taps into our collective memory, reminding us of the timeless drama of choice and consequence. We are drawn in, subconsciously aware of the far-reaching impact of this single judgment. The myth progresses in a non-linear fashion throughout history and is continuously reinterpreted.