Artwork
The Judgment of Paris
The Judgment of Paris is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Harald Giersing. It dates from 1909 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Harald Giersing’s The Judgment of Paris (1909) is an oil painting that belongs to the post‑impressionist phase of his career. Executed during the early years of Denmark’s classic modernism, the work is part of the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a mythological episode, arranging four figures within an interior space. Three women, two nude and one clothed in a loose garment, stand with their backs to the viewer, while a seated man turns away, suggesting a moment of quiet deliberation within the narrative.
Technique & Style
Giersden employs a bright, airy palette and a flat, warm light that suffuses the room. The brushwork is rapid and expressive, leaving color patches and edges deliberately rough, especially on the clothing and the chair, creating a tension between casual pose and formal stiffness.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1909, the work entered the holdings of Denmark’s national gallery, Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. It reflects Giersen’s early engagement with modernist ideas that would later define his contribution to Danish art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Harald Giersing (24 April 1881 – 15 January 1927) was a Danish painter. He was instrumental in developing the classic modernism movement in Denmark around 1910-1920. He is remembered as one of Denmark's most important…
