Juno 1700 - 1800

This drawing of Juno is rendered in pen and brown wash, and was made by an anonymous artist. Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and queen of the gods, is depicted seated in a chariot, amidst swirling clouds and cherubic figures. In classical mythology Juno’s identity is deeply entwined with her role as wife of Jupiter, and it is within this paradigm that the artist paints her. She is presented as a figure of regal authority, but also domesticity, mirroring the patriarchal structures of Roman society. The swans pulling her chariot represent the goddess’s association with love and marriage. However, Juno's stories are also filled with jealousy and rage toward Jupiter’s lovers and illegitimate children. It's as if the artist, perhaps unintentionally, captures something of this tension: Juno's face, though beautiful, seems etched with a hint of melancholy or concern. It allows us to feel a sense of the emotional complexities inherent in Juno’s identity as wife, queen, and goddess.