Artwork
The Judgement of Paris
The Judgement of Paris is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Joachim Wtewael. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1612 by the Utrecht artist Joachim Wtewael, this copper painting illustrates the classical episode in which Paris judges the three goddesses. The composition gathers a semi‑nude group in a wooded setting, with Paris suspended in the air, bow drawn, while the surrounding figures—both human and animal—observe the moment with varied gestures.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualises the mythological contest in which Paris must decide which goddess—Hera, Athena or Aphrodite—deserves the golden apple. Wtewael emphasizes the tension of choice: Paris, elevated above the ground, holds the arrow that will seal his decision, while the goddesses and attendant figures display contrasting attitudes that hint at their respective claims.
Technique & Style
Executed on a copper support, the painting benefits from the metal’s smooth surface, allowing Wtewael to render intricate details and luminous color transitions. The figures are rendered in the exaggerated, elegant poses typical of Northern Mannerism, with elongated limbs and elaborate drapery that contrast with the naturalistic background of trees and foliage.
History & Provenance
Joachim Wtewael, a prominent Dutch Mannerist who also served as a flax merchant and municipal councillor in Utrecht, produced the piece during the later phase of his career. The painting entered the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of early‑17th‑century Dutch art.
Context
At a time when Dutch artists were increasingly turning toward realism, Wtewael maintained the elaborate, artificial aesthetic of the Mannerist tradition. His choice of a mythological subject aligns with the period’s interest in classical themes, while the copper medium reflects a market for small, highly finished works suitable for private collectors.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joachim Anthoniszoon Wtewael (Dutch pronunciation: ; 1566 – 1 August 1638), also known as Uytewael (pronounced ), was a Dutch Mannerist painter and draughtsman, as well as a highly successful flax merchant, and town councillor of Utrecht.
