Jupiter and Juno on Mount Ida - Barry, James (Irish painter, printmaker, and lithographer, 1741-1806, active in England) (The Tate Gallery, 1983)
Despite the fact that the plate is inscribed 'Professor of Painting to the Royal Academy' [not seen here], the print probably postdates Barry's expulsion. All but two of the surviving impressions are posthumous, suggesting a late work, and the use of the mezzotint rocker also seems to be characteristic of the late years. Because the print shows a bit more of the image than now appears in the painting it reproduces (cgjc0764), it suggests that the canvas may have been slightly cut down at some later date. (NGI, 132) This image represents a scene from Homer's Iliad, Juno is shown seducing Jupiter in order to put him to sleep that she may aid the Greek army unhindered. (NGI, 143)
Keywords: Art, Irish; Etching in art; Mezzotint engraving History.; Juno (Roman deity); Jupiter (Roman deity) Art.; Seduction in art; Homer Iliad Illustrations.; Art and mythology pictorial works; 19th century