FOLLOWER OF SIR PETER PAUL RUBENS

This picture is after the painting by Rubens of circa 1632-5 in the National Gallery, London (inv. no. NG194), depicting one of the pivotal moments in classical mythology. Paris, the lost Prince of Troy, is asked to decide which of the three goddesses Aphrodite, Hera or Athena should receive the golden apple, inscribed 'to the fairest one', which had been dropped by Eris, goddess of discord, at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis. Paris finally awarded the apple to Aphrodite due to her promise that by naming her the winner, he would receive the most beautiful woman in the world as his wife. This was the choice that would lead to Paris’s eventual abduction of Helen of Sparta, and the Trojan Wars.

A scientific examination report of the painting by Dr. Nicholas Eastaugh, dated 21 June 2001, is available upon request.