The Judgment of Paris

The Judgment of Paris by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée, 1600-1682) is a defining oil on canvas executed between 1645 and 1646. This work of art exemplifies the High Baroque traditions prevalent in the period spanning 1601 to 1650. Though established as a French artist, Lorrain spent the vast majority of his career in Rome, becoming the quintessential master of the paesaggio ideale or idealized landscape.

The subject, derived from classical Greek mythology, centers on the shepherd prince Paris, who must choose the most beautiful of the three Olympian goddesses: Juno (Hera), Minerva (Athena), and Venus (Aphrodite). The resulting judgment, depicted here, ultimately sets in motion the events leading to the Trojan War. This piece, unlike some contemporary treatments, places heavy emphasis on the surrounding environment rather than the central figures. Lorrain utilizes meticulously constructed spatial recession and atmospheric perspective to convey depth, a hallmark of his mature style.

The painting features figures nestled within a broad, pastoral setting, characteristic of the artist’s output. The light source, often presented as a setting or rising sun, bathes the mythological participants, classical ruins, and lush trees in a golden, unifying glow. This established a tranquil, sometimes melancholic, mood highly sought after by collectors of French classical painting.

As a significant example of Lorrain’s influence on the landscape genre, the canvas reflects the highly refined aesthetic sought by wealthy patrons in the mid-seventeenth century. This important piece is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Due to the age of the original work, reproductions and high-quality prints are widely available through various public domain initiatives, allowing broader study of Lorrain’s lasting impact on the history of art.