Judgement of Paris

19th century copy of Rubens' original in the National Gallery, London. The scene depicts Lucian's 'Judgement of the Goddesses' (Dialogues of the Gods, 20), wherein Paris presents a golden apple to Venus as the most beautiful of the three goddesses. Venus stands between Minerva and Juno while behind Paris to the right stands Mercury. Above is the Fury, Alecto, and a winged cupid can be seen on the bottom left. A peacock - symbolizing pride - is at the feet of Juno while Minerva stands before her armour. The scene takes place in a grove of trees, a landscape with sheep in the background.