To The Fairest
signed (lower left)
acrylic on canvas
30" x 24" (76 cm x 61 cm)
León Gallery wishes to thank the artist for confirming the authenticity of this lot




Marcel Antonio, an accomplished Filipino contemporary painter, has gained recognition from critics for his narrative and pseudo-narrative figurative artwork rendered in oil and acrylic mediums. Widely acknowledged for his significant contributions to the country's art scene, Antonio's masterpieces have garnered both local and international acclaim, often selling out during exhibitions. His prominence is further affirmed by his displays in esteemed art galleries across Manila and in global cities such as Berlin, Australia, and Singapore.In this particular piece Antonio references the Judgement of Paris; a pivotal part of Homer's Iliad. The tale begins with a wedding feast on Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. Eris, the goddess of discord, was not invited to the celebration, which angered her. In retaliation, she threw a golden apple into the midst of the festivities. This apple was inscribed with the words "For the Fairest," which immediately sparked a rivalry among the goddesses, each claiming the title of the fairest. Unable to settle the dispute themselves, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite turned to a mortal named Paris, the prince of Troy, to judge who was the most beautiful. In return for his judgment, each goddess promised him a reward. Hera offered him power and rulership, Athena offered him wisdom and skill in warfare, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, offered him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris chose Aphrodite as the winner, swayed by her promise of the love of Helen, who was considered the most beautiful mortal woman. The catch was that Helen was already married to King Menelaus of Sparta. Paris' abduction of Helen to Troy set off a chain of events that eventually led to the Trojan War, a legendary conflict between the city of Troy and the Greek forces. This piece titled the fairest echoes Homer's intention as a symbolic tale highlighting the power struggles, jealousies, and consequences that arise from vanity and the pursuit of beauty. (Jed Daya)

Marcel Antonio, an accomplished Filipino contemporary painter, has gained recognition from critics for his narrative and pseudo-narrative figurative artwork rendered in oil and acrylic mediums. Widely acknowledged for his significant contributions to the country's art scene, Antonio's masterpieces have garnered both local and international acclaim, often selling out during exhibitions. His prominence is further affirmed by his displays in esteemed art galleries across Manila and in global cities such as Berlin, Australia, and Singapore.In this particular piece Antonio references the Judgement of Paris; a pivotal part of Homer's Iliad. The tale begins with a wedding feast on Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. Eris, the goddess of discord, was not invited to the celebration, which angered her. In retaliation, she threw a golden apple into the midst of the festivities. This apple was inscribed with the words "For the Fairest," which immediately sparked a rivalry among the goddesses, each claiming the title of the fairest. Unable to settle the dispute themselves, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite turned to a mortal named Paris, the prince of Troy, to judge who was the most beautiful. In return for his judgment, each goddess promised him a reward. Hera offered him power and rulership, Athena offered him wisdom and skill in warfare, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, offered him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. Paris chose Aphrodite as the winner, swayed by her promise of the love of Helen, who was considered the most beautiful mortal woman. The catch was that Helen was already married to King Menelaus of Sparta. Paris' abduction of Helen to Troy set off a chain of events that eventually led to the Trojan War, a legendary conflict between the city of Troy and the Greek forces. This piece titled the fairest echoes Homer's intention as a symbolic tale highlighting the power struggles, jealousies, and consequences that arise from vanity and the pursuit of beauty. (Jed Daya)