French School (18th century), The Judgement of Paris

Oil on canvas laid on Masonite, unsigned, presented in a later frame.

Board 32 x 36 in.; Frame dimensions 39 1/2 x 44 in.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the mythological subject of The Judgement of Paris enjoyed widespread popularity among European painters and patrons, serving as both a showcase for classical knowledge and an opportunity to explore the female nude under the guise of allegory. The tale—drawn from Greek mythology—involves the Trojan prince Paris tasked with awarding a golden apple to the fairest goddess among Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, a choice that ultimately leads to the Trojan War. Artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Lucas Cranach the Elder, and François Boucher embraced the theme for its compositional richness and erotic potential, often portraying the goddesses in sensuous poses amidst pastoral or mythic landscapes. These works appealed to elite tastes by blending high mythological content with idealized beauty, and they were frequently commissioned for private collections, where their suggestive themes could be appreciated in intimate settings. The enduring allure of the subject reflects broader Enlightenment-era interests in classical antiquity, human desire, and the complexities of moral choice.

Scattered retouch visible under UV light; allover stable craquelure.