Juno 1500 - 1600

Jacopo Palma the Younger created this drawing of Juno using pen and brown ink with gray wash on paper. Made in Venice, Juno embodies values and ideologies of the Venetian Republic, the ‘Serenissima’. Juno, queen of the gods and a powerful symbol of marriage and state, has been deployed here. Looking at the way the image creates meaning, the use of classical imagery conveys a sense of authority and grandeur, drawing parallels between Venice and the Roman Empire. The dog by her side is a symbol of fidelity and guardianship, reflecting the idea of Venice as a protector of its people and traditions. The image invites us to reflect on the nature of power and the social conditions that shape artistic production. Art historians would consult archives, documents, and other primary sources to understand the intentions of the artist, the cultural context, and the socio-political forces that influenced the creation of this drawing.