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The Judgment of Paris

1583
Not on view
On his father's death in 1540, the young Alessandro Allori was adopted by Bronzino (1503-1572), becoming his pupil and a significant disseminator of his elegant Mannerist vocabulary. This delicately finished large composition, complete in all details, served as a modello (demonstration drawing) for one of four tapestry cartoons representing the story of Paris and the Golden Apple of Discord, that were delivered to the Florentine weaver Benedetto Squilli on March 30, 1583. The tapestries were probably intended for the Medici Villa at Poggio a Caiano, and were finished by June 4 of the same year. Allori's drawing technique and medium here closely resemble those in Bronzino's studies for tapestry cartoons on the life of Joseph (1549-1553). Here, Paris is seated at right holding a large apple in his left hand, while the striding, nearly nude Mercury at center turns to present the three goddesses at left -- Venus, Juno, and Minerva -- who are about to shed their clothing for the contest. Displayed at upper left are the attributes that identify the three goddesses below: the owls of Minerva, the peacocks of Juno, and the swan-drawn chariot of Venus.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Judgment of Paris
  • Artist: Alessandro Allori (Italian, Florence 1535–1607 Florence)
  • Date: 1583
  • Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, highlighted with white gouache, over black chalk, on blue paper
  • Dimensions: 14-7/16 x 18-11/16 in. (36.6 x 47.4 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1963
  • Object Number: 63.96
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
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The Gathering of Manna, Alessandro Allori Italian, Wool and silk, Italian, Florence
The Gathering of Manna
Alessandro Allori
Guasparri di Bartolomeo Papini
1595–96
Design for Ornamental Border with Foliage, Putti and a Lion's Head, Alessandro Allori Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over traces of black chalk or graphite, highlighted with white gouache, on blue paper
Design for Ornamental Border with Foliage, Putti and a Lion's Head
Alessandro Allori
1535–1607
Design for a Narrative Frieze: A Commander Addressing His Troops, Alessandro Allori Italian, Pen and brown ink, brush and gray-brown wash, highlighted with a little white, over black chalk, on brownish paper; framing lines in black chalk
Design for a Narrative Frieze: A Commander Addressing His Troops
Alessandro Allori
1535–1607
Jupiter and Juno: Study for the "Furti di Giove" Tapestries, Perino del Vaga (Pietro Buonaccorsi) Italian, Pen and dark brown ink, brush and brown and gray wash, highlighted with white gouache
Jupiter and Juno: Study for the "Furti di Giove" Tapestries
Perino del Vaga (Pietro Buonaccorsi)
ca. 1532–35
Lucretia, Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) Italian, Pen and brown ink over black chalk, partially incised with a stylus (recto); rubbed with black chalk for transfer (verso)
Lucretia
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi)
1508–10

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