Juno sitting in clouds, study for a tondo 1715 - 1797

Editor: This is a fascinating charcoal and pencil drawing titled "Juno sitting in clouds, study for a tondo" by Tommaso Gherardini, dating from sometime between 1715 and 1797. The way Juno's robes are draped gives a real sense of motion and volume. What stands out to you about it? Curator: Well, seeing this work brings to mind the power dynamics embedded within art of this period. The 'Grand Tour' fueled a market for classical imagery, reinforcing certain elite cultural narratives. What purpose did Gherardini intend for Juno, a powerful Roman goddess, in his tondo study? Editor: A study, so it wasn't meant as a finished piece itself? Curator: Precisely. It’s intriguing to consider what context this "Juno" would eventually occupy. How would it reinforce the values or aspirations of its commissioners, particularly those aligned with academic art ideals? Was it intended for private contemplation or a more public display of knowledge and power? Editor: It's interesting how even a preliminary sketch like this can be so revealing about social currents. The study is academic, but where and for whom? It would influence who got access to art in that historical period. Curator: Exactly! And those choices around imagery dictated public taste as much as they catered to it. Does thinking about its broader role shift how you see Juno's depiction here? Editor: Definitely. Seeing it as part of a larger social and artistic machinery makes it feel less ethereal and more deliberate. It makes me question what narratives were considered important enough to be captured and circulated in this way. Curator: It also gives an insight to Gherardini's artistic practices, understanding its historical and political context makes this artwork far more intriguing and gives me greater perspective on its intended impact.