The Judgment of Paris
1615
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1615
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows four naked figures standing in a loose group. The person on the left stands tall with one arm raised, while the others cluster closer together. One figure holds a staff, another reaches out toward a smaller figure, and the last person sits on the ground with a thoughtful pose. The background is mostly blank, letting the figures stand out in simple lines and light shading. The drawing uses quick, sketchy lines with some darker washes to add depth. The figures look like they’re part of a story, but the artist left out details to keep it loose and expressive. Next, check out Baroque to see how this sketch fits into that dramatic, lively style.
