(Bari 1878–1953)
The judgement of Paris, signed A. Lanave,
oil on canvas, 82 x 151 cm, framed, (GG)

Compare:
Henry Siemiradzki (1843-1902), The Judgement of Paris, National Museum, Warsaw, Poland.

According to myth, Zeus held a banquet to celebrate the marriage of Achilles’ parents. Having not been invited, Eris threw a golden apple into the fray, which was inscribed to the fairest one.
Athena, Hera and Aphrodite each claimed that the apple was certainly meant for them, and the mortal Paris was appointed by Zeus to judge who should receive the prize.
Having each bathed in the spring of Ida, the goddesses appeared to Paris, who was tending his flock on the mountain, and attempted to bribe him with various prizes. Hera offered to make him king, Athena to transform him into the ultimate warrior, and Aphrodite offered the love of the world’s most beautiful woman. In the end, he awarded the apple to Aphrodite and in return received the love of Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta, thereby providing the catalyst for the Trojan War.The present picture depicts the victory of Aphrodite, displaying the golden apple, her reward. To the right the two other goddesses, Hera and Athena, look at her with disdain.
Paris is watching the scene sitting on his throne with Hermes next to him, recognizable with his caduceus and winged hat. He is considered the messenger of the gods.
The Judgement of Paris is a theme which has appealed to artists for centuries.