According to classical mythology the goddess of Discord inscribed the words 'the most beautiful' on an apple and initiated an argument amongst the goddesses. Not even Jupiter, the father of the gods, was willing to settle it. Instead he sent his messenger Mercury to the Trojan prince Paris. He should
According to classical mythology the goddess of Discord inscribed the words 'the most beautiful' on an apple and initiated an argument amongst the goddesses. Not even Jupiter, the father of the gods, was willing to settle it. Instead he sent his messenger Mercury to the Trojan prince Paris. He should choose between the disputing goddesses. They in turn solicited his affection with their promises: Juno offered him power, Minerva promised him wisdom and Venus offered him the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris gave the apple to Venus who helped him to kidnap the married woman Helen, an act that started the Trojan war.
Cranach represented this moralistic subject in the present by showing the figures in 16th century dress to illustrate the consequences of every decision.
[Herrschaft, cda 2015]
- Attributions
-
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder
Wolfgang Krodel the Elder
Attributions
Workshop Lucas Cranach the Elder | [Dieter Koepplin, oral information May 15, 1988] [1] [1] according to Cat. Schaffhausen 2010, 28-29; 102 |
Wolfgang Krodel the Elder | [Werner Schade, oral information June 18, 1988] [1] [1] according to Cat. Schaffhausen 1989, No. 18 |
Lucas Cranach the Elder | [Cat. Schaffhausen 1985, 8] |
- Production dates
- about 1525
about 1520
Production dates
about 1525 | [Cat. Schaffhausen 1989, No. 18] |
about 1520 | [Cat. Schaffhausen 1985, 8-9] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 59.7 x 39.5 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 59.7 x 39.5 cm
[Cat. Schaffhausen 1989, No. 18]
- Signature / Dating
None
- Inscriptions and Labels
Paper on verso: 'Lucas Kranach'
[Cat. Schaffhausen 2010, 28-29, 102]
Inscriptions and Labels
Stamps, Seals, Labels:
Paper on verso: 'Lucas Kranach'
[Cat. Schaffhausen 2010, 28-29, 102]
- Owner
- Peyersche Tobias Stimmer-Stiftung, Schaffhausen
- Repository
- Museum zu Allerheiligen Schaffhausen
- Location
- Schaffhausen
- CDA ID
- CH_PTSS-MAS_A652
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR-none
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/CH_PTSS-MAS_A652/