Who painted The Judgment of Paris?

The Judgment of Paris was painted by Richard Woodman in 1800.

Where can I see The Judgment of Paris?

The Judgment of Paris is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Judgment of Paris?

The Judgment of Paris is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Judgment of Paris

Richard Woodman , 1800

The Judgment of Paris is a print by the Romanticist artist Richard Woodman. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This 1800 proof print, titled *The Judgment of Paris*, reproduces a composition originally painted by Peter Paul Rubens. Executed by the English engraver Richard Woodman, the work appears on paper and incorporates the artist’s signature within the image itself, indicating its status as a finished proof rather than a commercial impression.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents the mythological episode in which Paris, seated on the right, is attended by three nude goddesses—often identified as Hera, Athena and Aphrodite—arranged to his left. A fourth female figure stands in the background, while a solitary tree frames the right side, situating the encounter within a tranquil, wooded landscape that underscores the narrative’s calm deliberation.

Technique & Style

Woodman employed fine line engraving to translate Rubens’ painterly vigor into monochrome. The use of chiaroscuro—contrasting light and shadow—creates a convincing sense of volume and spatial recession, allowing the figures to emerge from the foliage with a subtle three‑dimensionality characteristic of early nineteenth‑century printmaking.

History & Provenance

Produced in 1800, the print reflects the period’s interest in disseminating Rubens’ baroque compositions through reproductive media. As a proof, it likely served as a reference for subsequent editions and may have been retained by Woodman or his workshop before entering a private or institutional collection, though specific ownership records remain limited.