Image scanned and/or photographed, then color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

Paris Presenting the Golden Apple to Venus

Artist Thomas Crawford (American, 1814 - 1857)

Date1837

MediumMarble

DimensionsOverall: 57 1/2 x 22 1/8 x 18 in. (146.1 x 56.2 x 45.7 cm)

ClassificationsAmerican art

Credit LineGift of James H. Ricau and Museum purchase

Object number86.463

Terms

Paris
Mythology
Man
White
Neoclassical
Rome

Collections

American Art before 1945

On View

On view

DescriptionThis is a three-quarter life size marble statue of Paris personified presenting an apple to the goddess Venus. Paris is clothed only with his sandals, Phrygian cap, hunter's strap (devoid of weapons) a fig leaf and a cloth hung loosely over his right arm. Paris's right leg is leaning on a short tree stump. The figure is polished and smooth, the roughest texture being that of the tree stump. His left hand is held next to his face while the right gently leans forward with the golden apple. The apple is not large and is easily balanced between his thumb, index finger and middle finger. His attitude is not bold, but rather retiring and somewhat timid in appearance.

Label TextThomas Crawford American, 1814–1857 Paris Presenting the Golden Apple to Venus, modeled and carved 1837 Marble This young man is about to make a tragic mistake. Serving as the judge in a momentous beauty contest, the Trojan prince Paris rejects two worthy contestants—the queen of the gods Juno and the goddess of wisdom Minerva—to proclaim the love goddess Venus the winner. His choice set forth events that would lead to the Trojan War. Thomas Crawford presents Paris as a callow youth about to offer the golden apple of victory to Venus, foolishly unaware that his choice will unleash a world of suffering and death. Gift of James H. Ricau and Museum purchase 86.463