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Paris

ca. 1518–1524
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 536
In a legendary contest over divine beauty the Trojan prince, Paris judged Venus the winner. Paris is shown contemplating his choice as he holds the golden apple to be awarded to the goddess as her trophy. The figure’s immaculate nudity, gilded hair, and silver eyes vividly evoke the splendor of classical bronze statuettes.

The creator of this work was called Antico ("One of the ancients") by his Renaissance contemporaries in recognition of his ability to rival the sculptures of antiquity.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Paris
  • Artist: Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi) (Italian, Mantua ca. 1460–1528 Gazzuolo)
  • Date: ca. 1518–1524
  • Culture: Italian, Mantua
  • Medium: Bronze, partially fire-gilt, silver inlay
  • Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): H. 14 5/8 x W. 7 3/8 x D. 7 3/4 in. (37.1 x 18.7 x 19.7 cm); Alternate dimensions, positioned with legs and chest fully frontal (confirmed): W. 5 3/4 x D. 8 7/8 in. (14.6 x 22.5 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Bronze
  • Credit Line: Edith Perry Chapman Fund, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.93
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

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Satyr, Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi) Italian, Bronze, with remains of dark brown lacquer, Italian, Mantua
Satyr
Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi)
ca. 1510–ca. 1520
Manuscript Leaf Cutting from a Choir Book with an Illuminated Initial B and the Archangel Michael, Tempera, gold, silver, ink on parchment, Italian
Manuscript Leaf Cutting from a Choir Book with an Illuminated Initial B and the Archangel Michael
Italian
second half of the 15th century
Reliquary Statuette of Saint Christopher, Silver and gilded silver, French
Reliquary Statuette of Saint Christopher
French
ca. 1375–1425
Striding Pan, Andrea Briosco, called Riccio Italian, Bronze, Italian, Padua
Striding Pan
Andrea Briosco, called Riccio
1530–1539
Emperor Antoninus Pius, Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi) Italian, Bronze, partially oil-gilt, silver inlay, on serpentinite socle, Italian, Mantua
Emperor Antoninus Pius
Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi)
1519–24

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