Although the tale as illustrated here initially allows the depicted subject to be grasped, the interpretation chosen by Cranach draws on the literary bedrock of the 'Historia destructionis Troiae', which was first drafted at the end of the 13th century. Differently from classical tradition it explains in a sequel of
Although the tale as illustrated here initially allows the depicted subject to be grasped, the interpretation chosen by Cranach draws on the literary bedrock of the 'Historia destructionis Troiae', which was first drafted at the end of the 13th century. Differently from classical tradition it explains in a sequel of recurring stories how the King's son, returning tired from the hunt and having tethered his steed to a tree reclined near a spring. Overcome by sleep Paris dreams that Hermes appears to him with three goddesses and asks for his judgement. As he is not able to decide Paris asks the goddesses to undress in front of him, whereupon he makes a decission with grave consequences.[1]
[1] The information that the goddesses undressed before the judgement was made was already recorded by Lukian. However, the fact that Lukian does not describe Paris as a knight or mention his steed tethered to a tree is contrary to Bierende's assumption that Cranach drew on this classical source, which since 1500 was much discussed in Humanist circles. See Bierende 2002, 212
[Benjamin D. Spira, in Exhib. Cat. Gotha, Kassel 2015, 222]
- Attributions
-
Lucas Cranach the Younger
Lucas Cranach the Elder
Attributions
Lucas Cranach the Younger | [Exhib. Cat. Gotha 2015, No. 66] |
Lucas Cranach the Elder | 'Lukas Cranach d. Ä' [Koepplin, Exhib. Cat. Basel 1974, 630, No. 538][1] [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 31] |
Circle of Lucas Cranach the Elder | 'Schule Cranach's. Die Sage von Alfred dem Grossen und Albonak's Töchtern' [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 31] |
(Follower of Lucas Cranach the Elder) | 'Cranachs Manier (?). Das Urtheil des Paris' [1][Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 31] |
- Production dates
- about 1540 - 1546
after 1537
Production dates
about 1540 - 1546 | [Exhib. Cat. Gotha 2015, No. 66] [Schade, Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 31] |
after 1537 | [Friedländer, Rosenberg 1978, 151, No. 409] |
- Dimensions
- Dimensions of support: 121.5 x 82.5 cm
Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 121.5 x 82.5 cm
[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 1994, 31]
Dimensions including frame: 143.5 x 106 cm
- Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia on the large stone bottom left: winged serpent with dropped wings, facing right; in dark brown paint
Signature / Dating
Artist's insignia on the large stone bottom left: winged serpent with dropped wings, facing right; in dark brown paint
- Owner
- Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
- Repository
- Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
- Location
- Gotha
- CDA ID
- DE_SMG_SG672
- FR (1978) Nr.
- FR409
- Persistent Link
- https://lucascranach.org/en/DE_SMG_SG672/