Oordeel van Paris 1586 - 1602

Nicolaes Jansz. Clock created this etching, "Oordeel van Paris," though the exact date remains unknown. The print illustrates the mythological Judgment of Paris, a narrative rife with gendered expectations and power dynamics. Note how Paris, the shepherd, is asked to judge which of the goddesses – Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite – is the fairest. Each goddess embodies a particular form of power: Hera, queen of the gods, symbolizes authority; Athena, wisdom and warfare; and Aphrodite, love and beauty. Paris's choice is not merely aesthetic; it's a decision that reflects cultural values and societal structures, as it establishes a hierarchy among different forms of feminine power. By choosing Aphrodite, who promises him Helen of Troy, Paris sets in motion a chain of events leading to the Trojan War. This choice underscores how the pursuit of beauty and romantic love can have profound, even devastating, political consequences. The print serves as a stark reminder of how personal desires and judgments can ignite broader conflicts, shaping the course of history.