Paris
ca. 1518–1524
Medium
Bronze, partially fire-gilt, silver inlay
Dimensions
Overall (confirmed): H. 14 5/8 x W. 7 3/8 x D. 7 3/4 in. (37.1 x 18.7 x 19.7 cm); Alternate dimensions, positioned with legs and chest fully frontal (confirmed): W. 5 3/4 x D. 8 7/8 in. (14.6 x 22.5 cm)
Classification
Sculpture-Bronze
Culture
Italian, Mantua
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edith Perry Chapman Fund, 1955
Accession Number
55.93
Tags
Art Historical Context
**Paris** by Antico (Pier Jacopo Alari Bonacolsi), crafted around 1518–1524, captures the mythological Trojan prince in a poised, classical nude pose, likely referencing the Judgment of Paris from Greek myth. This exquisite small-scale bronze sculpture, standing about 14 5/8 inches tall, showcases Paris holding apples—symbols of the fateful beauty contest among goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Antico, a leading Mantuan sculptor favored by the Gonzaga court, excelled in reviving antique ideals during the Renaissance, blending idealized anatomy with intimate, jewel-like detail. The medium...