This is less enigmatic than The Golden Apple, although it touches on the same theme of growing-up. Here decision, rather than the uncertainty of transition, is to the fore. Childhood is past : the choice has been made. This gives the painting a sort of bitter-sweet quality. Young Paris has made his choice. The older woman - his mother? - looks apprehensively over his shoulder. Whether she approves or disapproves, we do not know. All that we know is that she has lost.