Neoclassicism: Ivo Saliger's The Judgment of Paris

German Neoclassicism is the revival of classic heroism but with oil on canvas as the new medium and features symbols of modern German life. Ivo Saliger’s The Judgment of Paris is an oil on canvas painting, made in 1939. The Judgment of Paris was originally purchased by Hitler, but now resides in the German Historical Museum in Berlin (Deutsches Historisches Museum Website). Hitler purchased a lot of artwork himself, mostly consisting of great works before the Post-Impressionism Era and German Neoclassical pieces such as Saliger’s.

Saliger recounts a historical tale of Greek mythology, stylistically regressing in the portrayal of the nude women, but modernizes the scene with the presence of a man dressed in German attire. The figures in Saliger’s piece is reminiscent of Greek and Roman nude female sculptures, negating the sexuality and promiscuity found in nudes post-Classicism art styles. Rather, the nudity associates itself with divinity and beauty. The body language of the nude females are very reserved and closed. The female on the far right is beginning to cover herself up, while the woman behind her is turned away. Even when completely exposed, the left female stands with her legs closed. The figures lack emotion; their facial expressions flat and dull, or not shown at all by facing different directions. This is rather different than the dramatic and passionate emotions often depicted in the faces of Greek and Roman sculptures. By completely uncovering the nude woman on the left, Saliger humbly captures the essence Hitler aspired, leaving the two other nude women to remain only partially depicted.

Saliger, using oil on canvas, captures the life in human flesh with healthy pink tones in the skin, shaped by chiaroscuro shading. Each of the women look healthy with completely flawless skin. Both the left and right nudes have very plump and curvy bodies, consisting of ample bosoms, full stomachs, and broad thighs. The woman with her back turned is suggested to be nude as well, displaying physical health with accentuated back muscles.

The nude figures of Saliger’s piece captures the bridge that Hitler sought to build, not between divinity and all of mankind, but divinity and specifically Germany.