This sculpture in the Museo Borghese in Rome reflects the classical myth of the "Judgment of Paris".
In the myth, Paris was to judge who was the most beautiful between three famous women :
Venus (goddess of love), Juno (wife of Jupiter, King of the Olympian gods),
and Minerva (celebrated for her wisdom).
A golden apple was presented to the winner, Venus,
who is shown here holding the apple that memorialized her triumph as the most beautiful woman.

Paulina Bonaparte Borghese was Canova's model ca.1804, for the sculpture
which was commissioned by her second husband Camillo Borghese.

Note the woman on the left composing her photo of Canova's sculpture.