The Dream of Paris 1515 - 1518

"The Dream of Paris" is a 16th-century woodcut by the German artist Albrecht Altdorfer, a key figure in the Danube School. Created between 1515 and 1518, the print depicts the mythological scene of Paris, the Trojan prince, making his choice of the most beautiful goddess. The composition is intricate, showing Paris reclining in a grove of trees, while three goddesses—Venus, Juno, and Minerva—stand before him, each offering him a bribe. Altdorfer's detailed, almost obsessive attention to detail in the landscape and figures is characteristic of his work. "The Dream of Paris" is a powerful example of Altdorfer's ability to translate classical mythology into a visual language that is both evocative and dramatic. The work is now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago.