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Relief - The Judgement of Paris
  • The Judgement of Paris
    Auer, Jakob, born 1645 - died 1706
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The Judgement of Paris

  • Object:

    Relief

  • Place of origin:

    Austria (made)

  • Date:

    1680-1700 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Auer, Jakob, born 1645 - died 1706 (maker)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Elephant ivory

  • Museum number:

    A.79-1951

  • Gallery location:

    Sculpture, room 111, case 9

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Throughout the ages artists and craftsmen have made virtuoso carvings as a display of their skill and ingenuity. Although ivory, wood and stone are relatively easy to carve, other materials such as gemstones are much more demanding. Most of these carvings were made for wealthy patrons and collectors, who delighted in the rarity of the material and quality of the carving. This ivory relief gives a classicising and elegant interpretation of the subject. The pale, fine surface of the ivory mirrors the flesh of the elongated nudes. The composition may well be based on an engraving.

Physical description

The figures are contained between two trees which form an arch. Paris (left) is proferring Venus the golden apple; Cupid, on the same plane in front of the trees, is between them. Juno and Minerva are in the background in lower relief. Paris is shown back view, head in profile to the right, with his right arm extended and his left arm raised and holding a staff. His weight is disposed on the right leg whilst his left leg is slightly raised and resting on a rock. Venus (right), half turned to the left, is about to accept the apple with her right hand. Flimsy drapery curls behind her neck, over her right shoulder, down her side and then across to her left side, where she holds the drapery in her left hand. She wears a pearl wristlet on her left wrist and pearls in her hair.

Place of Origin

Austria (made)

Date

1680-1700 (made)

Artist/maker

Auer, Jakob, born 1645 - died 1706 (maker)

Materials and Techniques

Elephant ivory

Dimensions

Height: 14.6 cm, Width: 9.5 cm

Descriptive line

Relief, ivory, The Judgement of Paris, by Jakob Auer (ca. 1646-1707), Austrian, about 1680-1700

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Theuerkauff, Christian, ed. Elfenbein, Sammlung Reiner Winkler, Vol II, 1994, p. 23, and note on p. 25

Production Note

Previously attributed to Christof Angermair (active 1606-1632/3).

Materials

Ivory

Subjects depicted

Cupid; Venus; Minerva; Juno; Paris

Categories

Sculpture; Myths & Legends

Collection code

SCP

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Qr_O89245
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