Judgement of Paris

myminifactory

As a master sculptor and architect, Georg Raphael Donner stood out as one of Austria's top Baroque figures. Born in Vienna, he spent his formative years honing his craft in the workshop of renowned goldsmith Johann Kaspar Prenner. Later, alongside German sculptor Balthasar Permoser in Dresden, Donner refined his style, which was uniquely influenced by Italy's rich artistic heritage. From 1728 to 1739, Donner served as court sculptor and director of building projects for Imre Esterházy, the influential Prince-Archbishop of Esztergom and Primate of Hungary. As a key patron of the time, Esterházy commissioned many of Donner's most significant works, including the magnificent high altar of St Martin's Cathedral, completed in 1736. This awe-inspiring relief depicts the legendary Judgement of Paris, where Juno, Minerva, and Venus compete for the coveted apple inscribed 'for the fairest one'. According to myth, handsome Prince Paris of Troy chose the winner – Venus, goddess of love – and unwittingly sparked the Trojan War by winning Helen's heart. The pair to this relief, Venus in the Forge of Vulcan, recounts a pivotal moment when Venus visits Vulcan to request divine arms for Aeneas, her son with Anchises, legendary protector of Troy. Notably, both Budapest reliefs are crafted from an alloy of tin and lead, which, although heavy, proves easier to work with after casting. This is evident in the intricate details of Vulcan's forge and the capitals of the columns in the round temple of the Judgement of Paris.