Juno, plate from a suite of 6 ornamental designs with the Judgement of Paris

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Adriaen Collaert, a prominent Flemish engraver active during the late Renaissance (ca. 1560–1618), created this exquisite plate titled *Juno*, part of a suite of six ornamental designs centered on the classical myth of the Judgement of Paris. Dated around 1690—likely a later edition or printing—this work exemplifies the enduring popularity of mythological themes in Northern European art. The Judgement of Paris, drawn from Ovid's *Metamorphoses*, depicts the Trojan prince Paris awarding a golden apple to the fairest goddess among Juno (Hera), Minerva (Athena), and Venus (Aphrodite), a tale that sparked the Trojan War and symbolized divine beauty and rivalry. As an ornamental design, *Juno* showcases Collaert's mastery in intricate line work and decorative motifs, typical of Flemish printmaking traditions. These suites were prized for their versatility, adorning cabinets, walls, or books, blending elegant figural composition with scrolling foliage and architectural elements. Juno, queen of the gods, is rendered with regal poise, her peacock emblem and starry crown evoking power and celestial authority, inviting viewers to ponder the interplay of myth and ornament. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, purchased by the Advisory Council, this plate highlights the museum's commitment to preserving fine prints. Though research continues, it offers a window into 17th-century decorative arts and the Flemish fascination with antiquity.