The peacock (Juno's bird)

The Peacock (Juno’s bird) is a 1924 monochrome woodcut that depicts a peacock standing in long grass under the leafy branches of a tree. The woodcut technique gives a somewhat rough appearance to the shaggy grass and overhanging branches. Lindsay has used smaller cuts to suggest the more delicate texture of the peacock’s feathers. He created a white contrasting background to the black inked nature scene in the foreground. The print is carefully composed. The smooth curve of the peacock’s back, neck and crown mirrors the curves of the more roughly textured tree branches and grass.

By titling the print The Peacock (Juno’s bird), Lindsay is invoking the peacock as the symbol of Juno, the Roman goddess of 'marriage, women, the sky and the stars of heaven' (Theoi.com). The peacock of the print certainly seems to be imbued with a fitting sense of nobility. The contrast between smooth, sweeping textures of the bird and the unruly grass and overhanging branches conveys his noble demeanour. Lindsay had been fascinated with exotic birds since his childhood, when he had watched his neighbour’s collection of brilliant birds, including peacocks, strut and flutter across the lawn.

Sources:

http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Hera.html

Dr Mark Stocker  Curator, Historical International Art   July 2018