Painting By Raoul Carré - The Judgment Of Paris

RAOUL CARRÉ (Montmorillon 1868-1933 Paris)The Judgment of Pariscirca 1900oil on panel15.5 x 21.5 cmsigned lower leftA student of Gérôme and Luc-Olivier Merson, Raoul Carré exhibited, from 1894, at the Salon des Artistes français, the Salon des indépendants and the Salon d'Automne. Presenting mainly portraits and landscapes, he addressed, at the beginning of the 20th century, mythological and biblical themes, in the symbolist movement. Indeed, we find in the compositions of this period a vibrant touch, which reminds us of that of the Nabis, in particular those of Pierre Bonnard or Edouard Vuillard.The Judgment of Paris is represented here in a rather bucolic manner. The four protagonists are naked, in the middle of nature. Paris, in the center, protects Aphrodite with his left arm, who curls up against him, while Athena, the warrior goddess, holds a bow in her hand. Hera, attentive, watches him from a crouch. By choosing Aphrodite, Paris unknowingly triggers the famous Trojan War.