Somnus and Iris

Joseph Anthony Mugnaini

A lithograph done by Joseph Mugnaini in 1953, working with the California Master Printer, lithographer Lynton Kistler. From a series of mythological themes done in editions of 20. This impression is accompanied by an 'authentication' from Kistler and signed by Mugnaini.

Mugnaini began his long-time collaboration with author Ray Bradbury in 1952, during which time he interpreted and illustrated many of Bradbury's books, including "Fahrenheit 451" through the "Martian Chronicles".

Somnus, who lived in the underworld or on the road to the underworld, was the personification of sleep. Juno, queen of the gods, sent her messenger Iris to find Somnus and command him to send a realistic vision in the form of a dream to Alcyone. In this image, Iris is pulling back the many sleeping Somnia blocking her way, allowing light to brighten her clothing and awaken Somnus.