Ixion Deceived by Juno and Jupiter - Pieter van Sompel

A detailed 17th-century engraving by Pieter van Sompel, depicting the classical myth of Ixion and the deceptive cloud-form of Juno.

This fine art print is an etching and engraving by the Dutch artist Pieter van Sompel, based on an original composition by Peter Paul Rubens. The work depicts the classical myth of Ixion, who was tricked by Jupiter into believing he was embracing the goddess Juno. In reality, Jupiter had fashioned a cloud into the likeness of his wife to test the mortal king's hubris.

The composition is arranged with the theatricality typical of the Baroque period. Jupiter sits in the upper left, observing the scene with a calculated gaze, while the central figures engage in the deception. The cloud-like form of the false Juno is positioned beside the unsuspecting Ixion. Van Sompel employs a sophisticated range of line work to convey the musculature of the figures and the ethereal quality of the clouds. The inclusion of a peacock, the traditional attribute of Juno, provides a visual anchor for the narrative.

Van Sompel was a skilled printmaker who frequently collaborated with Pieter Soutman, a publisher and artist who often reproduced the works of Rubens. This print demonstrates the technical precision required to translate the painterly qualities of Rubens into the medium of engraving. The contrast between the heavy, rounded forms of the figures and the lighter, atmospheric treatment of the background creates a sense of depth. The Latin inscription at the base provides context for the dedication of the print, reflecting the common practice of the era to associate such works with patrons or collectors. This piece offers a clear example of how mythological narratives were disseminated through print culture in the seventeenth-century Netherlands, allowing wider audiences to engage with the complex allegories favoured by the European elite.