THE TROJAN SAGA AND THE ILIAD 439
The Judgment of Paris, by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553); oil on panel, 1530,13 V 2 X
83 /4 in. This tiny painting wittily exploits the incongruities of a tale where great goddesses
appear naked before a shepherd. Paris is a corpulent Renaissance knight in armor and
foppish hat, while Hermes is an aged warrior (barefoot, as befits a god) whose decrepit
appearance sets off the sensuality of the goddesses. Aphrodite looks fully at the viewer,
while Athena rests her arm on Hermes. In the background the towers and spires of Troy
can be seen. Cupid draws his bow above, and to the left the horse seems to add his own
view of the contest. (Staatliche Kunsthalle, Karlsruhe, Germany. Reproduced by permission of
Staatliche Kunsthalle.)
to be the sister and wife of Zeus, and these two are his daughters. Doesn't all
this make the decision extremely difficult?
HERMES: I don't know. Yet it is impossible to avoid an order given by Zeus.
PARIS: Just this one request, Hermes. Convince them—I mean the two who