The Judgment of Paris
Artist
Bob Thompson
(American, 1937 - 1966)
Date1964
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsFramed: 75 3/8 x 60 5/16 x 2 1/2 in. (191.5 x 153.2 x 6.4 cm)
ClassificationsPAINTINGS
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number97.11
Description On View
On viewCollections
Copyright© Estate of Bob Thompson, Courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, LLC, New York, NY
Label TextParis was a shepherd in ancient mythology who was made to judge the most beautiful of three goddesses - Venus, Juno, and Minerva. He was bribed by all but chose Venus, who promised him the love of Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. In claiming his prize, Paris abducted Helen and began the Trojan War, as Helen's husband sought to win her back.
The Judgment of Paris was one of the most popular painting subjects for European artists of the 16th and 17th centuries. Artist Bob Thompson studied these Old Masters carefully and then improvised, as a jazz musician would, on established compositions. Thompson used color very expressively, placing complementary hues such as blue and orange or red and green next to each other so that they vibrate visually.
Mary E. Murray
Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art
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