Juno en Argus 1618 - 1628

Moyses van Wtenbrouck created this small etching entitled 'Juno en Argus' sometime in the first half of the 17th century. A sense of delicate balance is achieved through a composition that brings together classical mythology and pastoral scenery. Notice how the figures of Juno and Argus are positioned in the foreground. Juno stands tall, elegant and draped in classical garb, beside a white cow. Meanwhile, Argus kneels, digging with a stick into the earth. There is a strong sense of the diagonal as the artist encourages us to move from left to right across the scene. Look at how the pastoral landscape recedes into the distance, creating a contrast between the detailed foreground and the softer, more atmospheric background. Van Wtenbrouck uses the contrast between the human and natural to explore themes of transformation and divine intervention. The very act of etching—a process of cutting into a metal plate to create an image—mirrors the transformative potential of art itself. This print invites us to contemplate the layers of meaning embedded in classical stories and also, the formal structure of the composition.