Judgment of Paris by (pseud.) Thomas Aquinas
Judgment of Paris
De Alchimia, (pseud.) Thomas Aquinas,
16th century. Cod. Voss. chem. f.78, University Libraries, Leiden.
- This 16th-century illustration from the De Alchimia, attributed to (pseud.) Thomas Aquinas and housed at Leiden University Libraries (Cod. Voss. chem. f.78), depicts the classical myth of the "Judgment of Paris" through a distinctly alchemical lens. The scene captures Paris, with Hermes acting as a guide, presenting an orb or apple to three nude goddesses in a landscape featuring a prominent fountain and castles. Notably, a sleeping armored king or knight lies in the foreground, indicating a scene that is both a judgment and an awakening. From a symbolic and spiritual perspective, alchemists reinterpreted Paris’s choice not merely as a narrative of desire, but as a representation of the "First Work" in the creation of the philosopher's stone. Specifically, it symbolizes the crucial process of fixing the volatile component, marking a foundational step toward spiritual transformation.
- In this alchemical context, Hermes appears as a psychopomp, a guide of souls, assisting the seeker in navigating this symbolic transition. The overarching metaphor uses this classical judgment to signify the beginning of a transformative journey. The broader creation of the philosopher's stone was thus seen as equivalent to the metaphorical siege of Troy, representing the trials and labors required for spiritual completion. Furthermore, the subsequent creation of the Elixir was likened to Troy's eventual fall, symbolizing the culmination of the work and the achievement of true spiritual and material integration, transcending the profane and the corruptible.
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