Juno overdrager Io til Argus 1618 - 1622

Moyses van Wtenbrouck created this etching, “Juno overdrager Io til Argus,” in the 17th century, a time when classical mythology was frequently reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. Here, we see Juno, the queen of the gods, entrusting Io, who has been transformed into a cow, to Argus, known for his hundred eyes. This scene, drawn from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, is not merely a mythological tale; it’s a narrative steeped in power dynamics, gender, and transformation. Io’s metamorphosis into a cow is a symbol of her loss of identity. Consider Juno’s role here: is she a protector or a jailer? Wtenbrouck’s choice to depict this moment invites us to contemplate the constraints placed on individuals, particularly women, by those in positions of authority. The gaze, embodied by Argus’s many eyes, becomes a tool of control, stripping Io of her agency. It prompts reflection on the historical and ongoing struggles for self-determination.