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Paris

ca. 1518–1524
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 536
In a legendary contest over divine beauty the Trojan prince, Paris judged Venus the winner. Paris is shown contemplating his choice as he holds the golden apple to be awarded to the goddess as her trophy. The figure’s immaculate nudity, gilded hair, and silver eyes vividly evoke the splendor of classical bronze statuettes.

The creator of this work was called Antico ("One of the ancients") by his Renaissance contemporaries in recognition of his ability to rival the sculptures of antiquity.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Paris
  • Artist: Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi) (Italian, Mantua ca. 1460–1528 Gazzuolo)
  • Date: ca. 1518–1524
  • Culture: Italian, Mantua
  • Medium: Bronze, partially fire-gilt, silver inlay
  • Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): H. 14 5/8 x W. 7 3/8 x D. 7 3/4 in. (37.1 x 18.7 x 19.7 cm); Alternate dimensions, positioned with legs and chest fully frontal (confirmed): W. 5 3/4 x D. 8 7/8 in. (14.6 x 22.5 cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Bronze
  • Credit Line: Edith Perry Chapman Fund, 1955
  • Object Number: 55.93
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Spinario (boy pulling a thorn from his foot), Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi) Italian, Bronze, partially gilt (hair) and silvered (eyes), Italian, Mantua
Spinario (boy pulling a thorn from his foot)
Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi)
probably modeled: 1496, cast: ca. 1501
Emperor Antoninus Pius, Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi) Italian, Bronze, partially oil-gilt, silver inlay, on serpentinite socle, Italian, Mantua
Emperor Antoninus Pius
Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi)
1519–24
Satyr, Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi) Italian, Bronze, with remains of dark brown lacquer, Italian, Mantua
Satyr
Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi)
ca. 1510–ca. 1520
Mars, Venus and Cupid with Vulcan at his forge (the Mantuan Roundel), Gian Marco Cavalli Italian, Parcel-gilt bronze with silver inlay, integrally cast gilt frame with suspension loop., Italian, Mantua
Mars, Venus and Cupid with Vulcan at his forge (the Mantuan Roundel)
Gian Marco Cavalli
ca. 1500
Standing boy, Andrea Mantegna Italian, Bronze, silver inlay (eyes), on a later porphyry and ormolu base, Italian, probably Mantua
Standing boy
Andrea Mantegna
Andrea del Verrocchio
late 15th–early 16th century

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