Juno c. 1540 - 1555

Curator: Well, hello there! What’s caught your eye today? Editor: This is "Juno", an engraving by Cornelis Bos from the mid-16th century. She looks pretty self-assured sitting up there. And, what's she sitting *on*, a globe? So, what do you make of this one? Curator: Oh, she's more than just self-assured. Look at her gaze, so steady, unwavering. The globe… yes, you see, it isn't just about her confidence; it’s about power. Juno, the queen of the gods, surveying her domain! And the peacock? Symbol of vanity and her royal status. What do you feel when you look at the shadows behind her? Editor: Almost like a thundercloud... dramatic. Makes her seem… vulnerable, a little? Despite the globe. Curator: Exactly! It is like that is a glimpse of the chaos that even a queen experiences. Maybe a reflection on the cost of wielding power. Does it change your first impression? Editor: Totally, it adds layers. Like, behind the confidence, there's also something at stake. Maybe that's the whole point of the allegory? Curator: Precisely! The Mannerists did love to pack a piece with complex layers of meaning. This engraving, even small, makes us ponder grand things about life, status, ambition… Don't you think? Editor: Absolutely, thanks. I was too focused on the "queen" aspect to notice what she was sacrificing for it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to spend a bit longer just looking at her shadows…