Io at the left as a cow, Jupiter on a cloud in the centre and Juno at the right with putti holding an eagle captive in the lower right 1650 - 1690

This engraving by Pietro Santi Bartoli depicts a scene from Ovid's Metamorphoses, with Jupiter, Juno, and Io. Dominating the left is Io, depicted as a cow, a symbol of her transformation meant to conceal her from Juno's jealousy. Jupiter, enthroned on clouds, recalls ancient Near Eastern depictions of gods on mountains, symbolizing power. Juno, on the right, is identifiable by her piercing gaze. The eagle, Juno’s symbol of power, held captive by putti, signals the tension between divine authority and earthly desires. The cloud motif, bearing Jupiter, has roots in ancient depictions of deities descending from above, linking it to the psychological longing for intervention from a higher power. The story of Io, Jupiter, and Juno resonates with our own human dramas of desire, deception, and the repercussions of infidelity. The recurring motifs of the cow, the cloud, and the jealous gaze tap into a well of collective memory, stirring deep-seated emotions and anxieties. This engraving serves as a potent reminder of how classical myths continue to speak to us across centuries.