De droom van Paris 1511

Albrecht Altdorfer created this small-scale print, "The Dream of Paris," in the first half of the 16th century. Here we see the classical story of Paris, the Trojan prince, being presented with the choice of whom to award the golden apple. Juno, Venus, and Minerva present themselves to Paris while Cupid, a figure of love, watches from above. Produced in Germany, this engraving reflects the humanist interest in classical literature and mythology prevalent at the time. More than that, it highlights the place of such refined knowledge and visual display in the social life of the court, where figures like Altdorfer could find patronage. This is more than mere illustration of classical myth; it's a demonstration of the artist's learning and skill, valuable commodities in the cultural economy of the Renaissance. To delve deeper, look into the history of printmaking in Germany and the role of classical themes in Renaissance art. Such inquiries highlight the social and institutional contexts that shaped this captivating image.