Juno watching Jupiter and Io, from "The Loves of the Gods" 1531 - 1560

Giulio Bonasone made this engraving, "Juno watching Jupiter and Io," in Italy sometime in the mid-16th century. It is a scene lifted from Classical mythology, but its revival here speaks volumes about the cultural values of Renaissance Italy. We see the goddess Juno looking down in dismay. Below, her husband Jupiter, disguised as a bull, abducts the nymph Io. Through these figures, Bonasone comments on the social structures of his own time. In Renaissance society, the aristocracy often looked to mythology to explore themes of power, desire, and morality. The story of Jupiter and Io, for example, could be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the abuse of power, or a commentary on the complexities of relationships. Historians rely on texts, images, and other cultural artifacts, such as emblems and plays, in order to understand the artist and the original audience. The meaning of this engraving is contingent on its social and institutional context.