A study of the classical myth of the Judgment of Paris, rendered in ink and wash by the Venetian artist Carletto Caliari.

This drawing by Carletto Caliari depicts the classical myth of the Judgment of Paris. As the son of Paolo Veronese, Carletto was trained within the family workshop in Venice, absorbing the fluid, painterly approach characteristic of the Venetian tradition. The composition captures the moment Paris, a Trojan prince, prepares to award the golden apple to one of the three goddesses: Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite.

The work displays the technical facility common to late sixteenth-century Venetian draughtsmanship. Caliari employs brown wash to establish volume and shadow, creating a sense of atmospheric depth across the figures and the surrounding foliage. The lines are executed with a light, rhythmic touch, typical of the preparatory sketches produced in the Veronese studio. The figures are arranged in a manner that suggests a theatrical stage, a common feature in the works of the Caliari family, where mythological narratives were often presented with a sense of grace and ease.

Caliari's use of wash allows for a soft transition between light and dark, which defines the musculature of the figures and the texture of the drapery. The presence of a small putto in the upper branches adds a sense of movement to the scene, balancing the more static poses of the goddesses below. This drawing provides insight into the working methods of a Venetian workshop, where such studies were essential for developing larger compositions. The paper shows signs of age, which adds to the character of the piece, revealing the layers of ink and chalk applied by the artist. It is a fine example of the late Renaissance interest in classical themes, rendered with the characteristic elegance of the Venetian school.