El Juicio de Paris (Simonet) facts for kids

El Juicio de Paris (which means The Judgment of Paris in English) is a famous painting created in 1904. It was painted by Enrique Simonet, a talented Spanish artist. This artwork shows a scene from an ancient Greek myth called the Judgement of Paris.

The painting is quite large, measuring about 3.31 meters wide and 2.15 meters tall. It is made using oil-on-canvas, a popular way to paint. Today, the painting is owned by Simonet's family and can be seen at the Museo de Málaga in Spain.

The Ancient Greek Myth: The Judgment of Paris

The painting tells a story from Greek mythology. It's about a beauty contest judged by a young man named Paris. This contest involved three powerful goddesses: Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.

The Golden Apple of Discord

The story begins at a wedding feast. Eris, the goddess of disagreement, was not invited. To cause trouble, she threw a golden apple into the party. On the apple were the words "To the fairest."

Who is the Fairest?

The goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite all believed they deserved the apple. They asked Zeus, the king of the gods, to decide. But Zeus didn't want to choose, so he sent them to Paris. Paris was a prince of Troy, but at the time, he was working as a shepherd.

The Goddesses' Offers to Paris

Each goddess tried to bribe Paris to pick her:

• Hera offered him power and to be the ruler of all Asia.
• Athena offered him wisdom and victory in all battles.
• Aphrodite offered him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen.

Paris chose Aphrodite's offer. He gave her the golden apple, declaring her the fairest. This decision made Hera and Athena very angry. It also led to the famous Trojan War, as Helen was already married.

About the Artist: Enrique Simonet

Enrique Simonet was a Spanish painter born in 1866. He was known for his detailed and realistic paintings. Simonet often painted historical scenes and myths, bringing them to life on canvas.

Simonet's Artistic Style

Simonet's works often show strong emotions and careful attention to human figures. He used rich colors and light to create dramatic effects. El Juicio de Paris is a great example of his skill in telling a story through art.

Where to See the Painting

Today, El Juicio de Paris is a treasured artwork. It is displayed at the Museo de Málaga in Málaga, Spain. Visitors can see this large painting and appreciate Simonet's interpretation of the ancient Greek myth.

See also

• The Judgement of Paris (Rubens)