Juno, from "Twelve Muses and Goddesses" 1540 - 1556

Léon Davent created this engraving of Juno, from "Twelve Muses and Goddesses", around 1550. The composition is dominated by the figure of Juno, seated regally upon a cloud-like throne, her form rendered through a delicate network of fine lines. This lends a tactile quality to the print, despite its monochrome palette. Davent masterfully employs the technique of hatching to define the contours of Juno’s body, creating a sense of volume and depth. The cloud on which she sits is formed through dense, swirling lines, contrasting with the smoother rendering of her draped garments. A semiotic reading reveals Juno’s attributes: the crown, symbol of her queenly status, and the peacock, her emblematic animal, which enhance her status. The print’s formal structure creates a visual tension, with the goddess’s serene pose juxtaposed against the dynamic interplay of lines and textures, inviting reflection on power, beauty and representation.