Staande Juno 1600 - 1617

Hendrick Goltzius rendered this study of Juno in pen and brown ink, capturing the matronly goddess with her symbolic peacock. This bird has been associated with Juno since antiquity; its feathers, adorned with eye-like spots, were said to symbolize Juno's all-seeing nature and, by extension, the omnipresence of divine power. Consider the repetition of the ‘eye’ motif—found not only in the peacock's feathers but echoed in other mythologies in myriad forms. Think of Argus Panoptes, the giant with a hundred eyes, whose watchful gaze was co-opted by Juno. This symbol transcends cultures, appearing in ancient Egyptian art as the Eye of Horus, representing protection, royal power, and divine authority. The persistence of the ‘all-seeing eye’ across millennia suggests a deep-seated psychological need for protection and vigilance, reflecting our enduring fascination with the idea of a watchful, maternal figure. Perhaps, subconsciously, we seek comfort in the idea that someone, or something, is always looking out for us. The emotional power of this image, therefore, lies in its ability to tap into this collective memory, engaging viewers on a profound, almost primal level.