Artwork
The Judgement of Paris
The Judgement of Paris is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Hans Rottenhammer. It dates from 1604 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Johann Rottenhammer’s oil painting titled *The Judgement of Paris* dates to roughly 1604. Executed on a modestly sized panel, the work presents a mythological tableau rendered in the Mannerist idiom for which the artist is noted. The composition is now part of the Nationalmuseum’s holdings, offering a quiet, balanced view of a classical narrative.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures the moment when the Trojan prince Paris, clothed in a red shirt and blue breeches and crowned with a laurel wreath, is surrounded by three nude goddesses. He gestures toward one of them, while the others observe, each adorned with jewelry and drapery; one holds a veil over her head. The painting visualizes the legendary choice that would later spark the Trojan War.
Technique & Style
Subtle chiaroscuro effects give modest depth, and the careful rendering of fabrics and jewels highlights the artist’s meticulous approach to texture.
Rottenhammer employs the refined detailing characteristic of Mannerism, emphasizing elegant line work and a smooth surface finish. The figures are rendered with delicate modeling, while the surrounding landscape—lush trees and verdant foliage—provides a tranquil backdrop. Subtle chiaroscuro effects give modest depth, and the careful rendering of fabrics and jewels highlights the artist’s meticulous approach to texture.
History & Provenance
Created in the early seventeenth century, the painting reflects Rottenhammer’s synthesis of Northern and Italian influences. After remaining in private collections for several centuries, it entered the Nationalmuseum’s inventory, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s representation of Northern Mannerist painting. Its provenance traces a path from the artist’s workshop to a public institution dedicated to preserving European art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Rottenhammer, or Hans Rottenhammer (1564 – 14 August 1625), was a German painter. He specialized in highly finished paintings on a small scale.
