The Judgment of Paris; Paris seated on a rock choosing between the goddesses Venus, Juno, and Minerva, the god Mercury with a caduceus in between them 1555

Giorgio Ghisi created this engraving, "The Judgement of Paris," sometime between 1515 and 1582. It depicts Paris, a mortal, asked to judge which of three goddesses is the most beautiful. This image offers us a glimpse into the Renaissance fascination with classical mythology, but also its negotiations of power and beauty. Renaissance beauty standards, as seen here, placed a heavy emphasis on the nude female form, turning the female body into a battleground where divine status is asserted. What does it mean to turn the female body into a symbol of power? In this context, it's hard to ignore the ways in which male gaze dictates the terms of this divine beauty contest. The composition directs our eyes to linger on the exposed bodies of Venus, Juno, and Minerva, whose worth is determined by a male figure. This engraving, with its dense composition and idealized forms, invites us to reflect on the complexities of beauty, power, and the cultural values embedded within mythological narratives.