Oordeel van Paris 1580 - 1596

This is Zacharias Dolendo's "Oordeel van Paris," a print at the Rijksmuseum. The dimensions are intimate, yet the scene is grand. The composition is fragmented, as if a classical frieze has been unearthed, damaged, but retaining its power. Dolendo uses delicate hatching to model the figures, giving them a sculptural presence. Look at the way Paris turns away, as if in hesitant contemplation. This formal choice isn't accidental; it’s about the internal struggle, the subjective nature of beauty itself. The rough edges of the print challenge the idea of a perfect, self-contained artwork. Its incompleteness mirrors the unresolved nature of judgment. Is beauty objective or subjective? The print doesn't offer closure. It's a glimpse into a world where values are in flux, where classical ideals are being questioned. This print invites us to consider how such forms shape our perception of this enduring myth.