Its present title was given in a 2004 catalogue of the Museum's collections due to the presence of peacocks, which are associated with Hera. The longer version of the title refers to her being sent to the home of Oceanus and Tethys by her mother Rhea during the Titanomachy. However, it is unclear if this interpretation is correct, as it does not explain why she is interrupted while combing her hair or why she does not appear to be near the ocean. In 1883, the painting was thought to depict Narcissus, but this interpretation also falls short, as it does not account for the presence of the peacocks, the running quadruped, or why the figure looks up from the water rather than gazes at their reflection.
