Watchcase cover: Alcyone Praying to Juno 1612 - 1628

Jean II Reymond created this painted enamel watchcase cover depicting Alcyone praying to Juno. The scene is from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, showing Alcyone pleading with Juno to reveal the fate of her husband at sea. Made in 16th-century France, the watchcase reflects the period's fascination with classical antiquity, seen in the architectural details like the columns and the subject matter drawn from Roman mythology. Artists like Reymond weren't just illustrating stories; they were participating in a broader cultural project of reviving classical learning and values. Consider how the elite of the time used these classical references to signal their education, taste, and social status. Enamels like this were luxury items, often commissioned by wealthy patrons. These objects tell us about the social conditions that valued craftsmanship and classical knowledge. To fully understand this piece, one might delve into the history of Renaissance humanism, the patronage system of the time, and the role of decorative arts in expressing social identity. Art history helps us see beyond the surface, connecting art to its rich social and institutional context.