Juno en de pauw 1670 - 1672

Gerard de Lairesse created this print, Juno en de pauw, at an unknown date and it is now held at the Rijksmuseum. The tight composition and use of fine lines create a scene of classical drama. Juno sits enthroned beside her peacock, while Mercury kneels presenting her with the severed head of Argus. The lines are not merely descriptive; they construct the scene's emotional framework. Note how Lairesse uses the medium of print to explore themes of power, justice, and the gaze. Juno's impassive expression contrasts sharply with the violence of Mercury's act, and the ever-watchful eyes of Argus, now silenced, remind us of the consequences of surveillance and divine retribution. The structure of the print destabilizes traditional heroic narratives, inviting reflection on the nature of authority and the price of obedience. Consider how the stark contrast of light and shadow creates a sense of unease. Lairesse uses this formal device to suggest that even in the realm of gods and myths, certainty is elusive, and meaning remains open to interpretation.