The Judgement of Paris, Nicola Malinconico (Naples, 1663 – 1726)

Nicola Malinconico (Naples, 1663 – 1726)

The Judgment of Paris

Oil on canvas (75 x 59 cm. – In frame 96 x 80 cm.)

Expertise by Prof. Giancarlo Sestieri (Rome, January 12, 2016)

FULL DETAILS OF THE PAINTING (click HERE)

The proposed painting depicts one of the crucial moments of classical mythology, namely “The Judgement of Paris”, a legendary episode whose epilogue would contribute to the outbreak of the Trojan War and the founding of Rome.

We see, on the right, the Trojan prince Paris immortalized in the guise of a young shepherd who, by order of Zeus, must choose which of Juno, Minerva, and Aphrodite is in his opinion the most beautiful of the goddesses of Olympus, while behind him appears Hermes, the messenger of the gods who has guided the three contenders there.

Paris is portrayed sitting in a rocky setting, holding in his hand the famous golden apple (also known as the “apple of discord”) that he will award as a prize to the victor.

On the right of the scene stand the three deities, captured in the act of revealing their nakedness to show off their absolute beauty and try to persuade the young man, the judge of this 'ante litteram' beauty contest.

As is known, his choice will fall on Aphrodite, conditioned by the promise that once elected winner she would assure him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, wife of Menelaus, the king of Sparta who, to avenge the affront suffered, will declare the beginning of the war.

Our beautiful painting is a derivation of the famous 'Judgement of Paris' painted by the Neapolitan Luca Giordano (Naples, 1634 – 1705) around 1682, during his stay in Florence, and today preserved at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg (**).

Our version faithfully follows the famous prototype and is specifically attributed by Professor Giancarlo Sestieri to a painter from Giordano's workshop. The scholar specifically attributes its authorship to Nicola Malinconico (Naples, 1663–1726), one of the master's principal and most gifted direct students and an important exponent of the Neapolitan late Baroque school. Also known for his exceptional ability to imitate Giordano's stylistic signature, he created numerous variations of mythological and pastoral scenes intended for the furnishings of important noble residences.

In this specific case, due to the extraordinary popularity of the iconography of the painting in question, the work was replicated and reinterpreted numerous times by his very active Neapolitan workshop and his closest students to satisfy the requests of private clients.

Compared to the original model, our version is smaller and therefore simplified in composition; we find the same theatrical setting, with a style characterized by strong contrasts of light and shadow that emphasize the anatomy of the bodies and the atmosphere of the moment, demonstrating how much Giordano's models were internalized by the painters of his school.

Compared to Giordano's autograph version, Malinconico's interpretation stands out for its particular focus on the texture of the drapery and a modulation of light that, while remaining theatrical and baroque, tends toward rich, softly applied chromatic tones. The goddesses' bodies take on an academic grace typical of the painter's mature period, when he began to blend Giordano's dynamism with Francesco Solimena's classicism.

**
Luca Giordano, Judgement of Paris
Oil on canvas, 247 x 326cm.
Hermitage Museum
https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/digital-collection/31824

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work comes with a pleasant frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

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