The Judgment Of Paris
Circa 1606
Rubens brings the ultimate divine beauty pageant to life in this lush, dramatic scene. Paris, the mortal prince, sits awkwardly on the left, tasked with the impossible job of choosing the fairest goddess among Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Notice the gloriously fleshy, voluptuous figures—a hallmark of Rubens' style that later coined the term 'Rubenesque.' The goddesses are practically showing off, aided by cheeky cupids, while Paris's discarded armor in the corner hints at the Trojan War disaster this choice will eventually trigger. It's a masterpiece of Baroque drama, packed with tension, skin, and impending doom.
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