Lucht gepersonifieerd door de godin Juno 1650 - 1800

This anonymous artwork at the Rijksmuseum depicts air personified as Juno, queen of the gods, floating amidst the clouds. The image draws heavily from classical antiquity. Juno, recognizable by her crown and peacock, embodies air within a larger symbolic system linking elements to deities. Made in the Netherlands, this piece likely reflects the cultural and intellectual climate influenced by classical learning, where mythological figures were commonly used to represent abstract concepts and natural phenomena. The figure of Juno would have instantly resonated with educated viewers of the time. The artwork likely reflects a conservative stance, reaffirming classical artistic traditions. Delving deeper, one might explore emblem books and mythological dictionaries popular during that era to uncover the specific meanings and associations attached to Juno and the element of air. Such resources offer insight into the social and intellectual contexts that shaped the artwork's creation and reception.