Jupiter and Juno being received in the heavens by Ganymede and Hebe, from "Division of the Universe"

Art Historical Context

Behold *Jupiter and Juno being received in the heavens byymede and Hebe*, a captivating engraving by the Italian artist Giulio Bonasone, created between 1531 and1576. This print, part of the series *Division of the Universe*, a grand mythological scene from classical Roman lore: the king of the gods, Jupiter, and his queen, Juno, welcomed into the celestial realms by the youthful cupbearers Ganymede—abducted by Jupiter's eagle—and Hebe, goddess of youth. Bonasone's intricate lines capture the divine pomp, with soaring eagles and flowing drapery evoking the heavens' majesty. As a master engraver from Bologna, Bonasone excelled in the Renaissance technique of engraving, which allowed for detailed, reproducible images inspired by ancient myths and Renaissance masters like Raphael. Prints like this one democratized art, spreading classical stories across Europe during a time of renewed fascination with antiquity amid the Italian Renaissance. The medium's precision shines in the fine textures of feathers and garments, making complex narratives accessible to collectors and scholars. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, 1949), this 8⅛ × 10½-inch sheet exemplifies how engravings bridged elite patronage and public appreciation, immortalizing the gods' cosmic divisions in enduring black-and-white elegance. A delightful window into Renaissance mythology! (198 words)

About the Artist

Giulio Bonasone · 1500–1600

Comment on works: History; Mythology