Juno, from 'Game of Mythology' (Jeu de la Mythologie)

Art Historical Context

Stefano della Bella, a 17th-century Italian etcher, created *Juno, from 'Game of Mythology'Jeu de la Myth)* in 1644. This diminutive etching (just 2 x 2 3/16 inches) is part of a charming series designed as playing cards, blending classical mythology with the popular pastime of card games in Baroque Europe. Della Bella, who worked in Florence and Paris for patrons like the Medici family, infused these prints with his signature intricate line work, capturing the grandeur of ancient gods in an intimate format. As an etching, the work showcases della Bella's virtuosity in printmaking—a technique that allowed for delicate, expressive lines and tonal effects through acid biting into metal plates. Juno, the Roman queen of the gods (equivalent to Greek Hera), is depicted here with her iconic attribute: the peacock, symbolizing immortality and her regal vanity. These cards reflect the era's fascination with mythology, revived during the Renaissance and flourishing in 17th-century France and Italy. This piece, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, highlights how art democratized elite subjects, turning mythological lore into everyday entertainment. Visitors can appreciate della Bella's ability to pack divine drama into a space smaller than a modern postcard!

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella · 1610–1664

Stefano della Bella (1610-1664) was one of the most prolific and versatile printmakers of the Italian Baroque period, leaving behind 1,052 prints and several thousand drawings that captured the vivid essence of 17th-century European life. Born in Florence on May 18, 1610, to a family of artists, he trained initially as a goldsmith before studying painting under Cesare Dandini and etching under Rem...