The Peacock Complaining to Juno

Moreau’s depiction of the peacock with Juno is Symbolistic, but also has aspects of Renaissance and Romanticism styles interwoven into it. This influence comes from his Italy’s excursions in which he observed many Renaissance and Romantic art that would anchor his themes in mythology and biblical narrative. The subject of the painting stems from a fable written by Jean de La Fontaine. This mythologically themed painting is vividly colored and vibrant with many colors that give it a Romanticist style. The contrast between the vivid colors of the peacock’s tail and the all-white Juno creates a stark divide between the deity and her sacred bird. This contrast draws the viewers’ eyes to the peacock and the vivid colors that make up its feathers while also setting the surreal and symbolic place surrounding Juno. Above the clouds, in the top left, there is an eagle that peers over the clouds from above with a stern face. The eagle is Jupiter’s sacred bird and is symbolic of Jupiter’s presence and his reigning power of the heavens. Other symbols present in the painting are the olive branches which symbolize deities and their power. Significant is the placement of the throne that Juno is lounging on, which sits below the heavenly cloud Jupiter is symbolically present in, symbolizing her lesser position in the hierarchy. Moreau’s painting is unique because of its combination of Romanticism and Renaissance and because of the artist own unique style.