The Judgement of Paris 2011

Curator: Here we have Alexander Roitburd’s 2011 oil on canvas, “The Judgement of Paris.” Editor: My immediate thought? Unease. There’s something unsettlingly detached about those figures, a strange stillness. And is that a teapot…? Curator: Indeed. Let's break it down. The composition employs a distinctive stacked arrangement—a male figure reclines atop two female figures rendered as torsos. This departs from conventional representations of the Judgement. Editor: That teapot just adds to the whole surreal atmosphere. It’s whimsical and absurd, positioned rather pointedly, I might add. Are we talking about desire here? And that piercing green, it reminds me of envy or some kind of forced connection. The classical tale gets a good remix. Curator: The artist utilizes raw brushstrokes and a muted palette. Roitburd creates visual tension, perhaps exploring themes of power dynamics, eroticism, and mythological reinterpretation through his unconventional figuration. Editor: You’re right, the figures appear both vulnerable and dominant, a total visual power struggle. The texture in this piece is also a language—it shows emotional urgency. The bodies are kind of roughly rendered and they make us experience them. Not simply view them. The muted colours also speak of the melancholic vibe. It’s both grotesque and beautiful—very Roitburd. Curator: Indeed, "The Judgement of Paris" transcends a mere retelling of mythology. Through a contemporary lens, it offers a potent commentary on perception and physicality. Editor: Definitely gives you a lot to think about… beauty, desire, and tea, naturally. Always an interesting recipe for visual storytelling, I’d say!