Who painted Paris's Judgement?

Paris's Judgement was painted by Adriaen van der Werff in 1700.

Where can I see Paris's Judgement?

Paris's Judgement is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Paris's Judgement?

Paris's Judgement is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Paris's Judgement

Adriaen van der Werff , 1700

Paris's Judgement is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Adriaen van der Werff. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection in St.

Adriaen van der Werff’s oil painting *Paris’s Judgement*, executed around the turn of the 18th century, presents a mythological scene within a forested landscape. The composition centers on a nude male and female figure, flanked by two cherubic children and two clothed attendants, all rendered with the delicate touch characteristic of the Rococo period. The work is part of the State Hermitage Museum’s collection in St. Petersburg.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates the ancient tale of the Judgement of Paris, in which the Trojan prince must choose the most beautiful goddess. Van der Werff emphasizes the moment of decision by placing the central couple in a natural clearing, while the surrounding figures—playful cherubs and solemn attendants—underscore the divine stakes of the contest and the allure of beauty that drives the narrative.

Technique & Style

Van der Werff employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing light to caress the woman’s smooth skin and illuminate her face, creating a near‑luminescent effect against a darker, wooded backdrop. The soft shadows and gentle transitions of tone reflect the Rococo’s preference for elegance and sensuality, while the careful rendering of textures—such as the sheen of flesh and the foliage’s depth—demonstrates the artist’s refined draftsmanship.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1700, the painting entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings, where it remains on display. Van der Werff, a Dutch painter noted for portraits, erotic, devotional, and mythological subjects, enjoyed patronage from the Medici family, and his workshop was overseen by his brother Pieter, who served as his chief assistant and pupil.

Context

The work reflects the late Baroque transition toward Rococo sensibilities in Northern Europe, where mythological themes were rendered with a lighter palette and graceful figures. Van der Werff’s choice of the Judgement of Paris aligns with contemporary tastes for classical stories that allowed artists to explore idealized beauty, eroticism, and the interplay of divine and mortal realms.