Juno zittend op wolken 1613 - 1661

Jan Gerritsz van Bronckhorst created this print of Juno sitting on clouds in the 17th century, a time when the Dutch Republic was a major center for artistic production. The print presents Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and queen of the gods, in a contemplative pose. What does it mean to see a goddess, typically represented as powerful and regal, in a moment of quiet reflection? Van Bronckhorst was working within a tradition of representing mythological and biblical scenes. The proliferation of these images was enabled by the development of printmaking. Consider how gender roles were rigidly defined in the 17th century, and how women were often relegated to the domestic sphere. Representations of powerful women, even mythological ones, could provide alternative narratives. Perhaps, in this quiet moment, Juno embodies not just divine authority but also the weight of her responsibilities and the complexities of her identity.