The Judgment of Paris 16th-17th century

Curator: This is Annibale Carracci's "The Judgement of Paris," a work held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's intriguing. There's a certain lightness, but also a weighty, classical feel to it. Curator: Carracci, born in Bologna in 1560, was a pivotal figure in the development of Baroque art. His work often drew from classical mythology. The Judgement of Paris depicts the infamous beauty contest between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Editor: Ah, yes. Paris presenting the golden apple. The apple itself is interesting—a symbol of temptation and discord, and he's the judge. We see the symbols of beauty, wisdom, and power all vying for supremacy here. Curator: Indeed. And Carracci presents this narrative at a moment where art itself was wrestling with similar ideals. The Academy sought to codify beauty, but artists were pushing against those very boundaries. Editor: And look how he renders these figures! They are both idealized and grounded in a tangible reality. It’s like he is searching for beauty in the real. Curator: It's that tension that makes Carracci so compelling. He is both part of and pushing against the established artistic order. Editor: A visual rendering of a crucial moment in mythology and art history. A feast for the eyes and the mind.