The red colour announces Argus' death because it is the colour of blood, but it also is an echo to Caravaggio who painted his Saint Jerome (Valletta) in red, the colour of wisdom. One of Jupiter’s many mortal lovers, Io was turned into a cow and put under the guardianship of Argus. The 16th century Flemish painter and poet Karel van Mander gave an example of interpretation of Ovid's myth; more than a conflict between two generations, there is a lesson of morality. Reference: Hollstein Dutch 13, Riggs 42. Mercury and Argus. Dent & Co., 1908 420 p. ND673.J8 R7, This page was last edited on 31 March 2020, at 22:19. Category: European and American Painting, Sculpture, and Decorative Arts. Mercury's movement with his knife, from the bottom to the top in a circular way, is highlighting the impression of movement and reinforces the suggested dramatic tension. 44.1 x 62.8 cm: Credit Line: Founders Society Purchase, Miscellaneous Gifts Fund : Accession Number: F72.283.20: Department: Prints, Drawings & … Mercury and Argus; Medium: Etching printed in brown on laid paper: Dimensions: plate: 15 1/4 x 21 3/8 in. Mercury and Argus, a story of love and deceit, derives from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. See all set records. Etching. In 1620, he painted Mercury and Argus and started collaborating with Van Dyck and Rubens. Blue refers to Mercury's divinity and white his feigned innocent. The love affairs of gods never bode well for mortals; there were times when they caused nothing but suffering even for some of the nymphs. The framing is narrowly focused on the figures; the canvas is cut on the right-hand side and there is little room left for scenery. The light of the artwork is similar to the light of a thunderstorm; the sky is dark and the light is raw. 38.7 x 54.2 cm sheet: 17 3/8 x 24 3/4 in. This digital photography of Mercury And Argus Oil Canvas Museo Del Prado Madrid has dimension × pixels. Jupiter transforms his paramour, Io, into a white heifer to protect her from his jealous wife, Juno. Mercury and Argus 1635-38 Oil on panel, 63 x 87,5 cm Gemäldegalerie, Dresden: The source of the subject is Ovid's Metamorphoses. The canvas has an old glue relining. Learn how and when to remove this template message, http://www.nortonsimon.org/collections/browse_title.php?id=F.1976.01.P, Metamorphoses (tr. Mrs. Talbot, Dublin by 1815, by inheritance to; The heifers are located on the superior part of the painting. Jupiter transforms himself into a bull and transforms Io into a beautiful, white heifer in order to hide from Hera's wrath. )/ Mercury & Argus (L.) Hermes is sometimes called Argeëphontes or Argofonias, i.e.the murderer of Argus. A complimentary copy of the published material must be provided to the Norton Simon Museum. Mercury charms him with lullabies and then cuts his head off, "Thus Argus lies in pieces, cold, and pale; Mercury and Argus, a story of love and deceit, derives from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Date unknown. Image reproduction permission may be granted for scholarly or arts related commercial use. The myth of Hermes & Argus (Gr. Find more prominent pieces of mythological painting at Wikiart.org – best visual art database. The Norton Simon Museum is temporarily closed. Location. Sweet notes issue from Mercury’s flute, bringing his companion, Argus, to the half-conscious state of stupor that precedes a nice, long nap. Artist: Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) (French, Chamagne 1604/5?–1682 Rome) Date: 1662. There is no supernatural aspect and the painting is clearly influenced by realism, as if the scene could happen in real life, except the fact that the characters are only dressed with togas. 1659. This image is in the public domain. Mercury and Argus . The colours are dark; there are brown and dark green tones for the bushes at the left bottom corner, on the right hand side and in the middle; dark blue and shades of grey for the sky, but also very light colours, typical of the baroque style with the chiaroscuro technique, that enlightens the characters and the action and highlights their anatomy. On the other hand, he was able to identify 1766 and 1768. the Jason and Medea, now separated from its ‘pendant’, in three When Mercury and Argus reappeared in February 1771 at sales that took place in December 1766, December 1768 and the sale of Boucher’s … The music makes the shepherd Argus fall asleep. Garth, Dryden, et al. Approved requests for the reproduction of an image will receive a contract detailing all fees and conditions of use of the image. not on view. Publication, commercial use, or reproduction of material in physical or digital form requires prior written permission from the copyright holder. The source of the subject is Ovid's Metamorphoses. Room 009. Mercury and Argus 1636 - 1638. 1659. Download and Share. Images may be protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights. From J. Paul Getty Museum, J. M. W. Turner, Mercury and Argus (before 1836), Oil on canvas, 151.8 × 111.8 cm Medium: Etching; third state of three (Mannocci) Dimensions: sheet: 9 13/16 x 13 1/2 in. Front and back of the image: Front of photograph Back of photograph. Brought to Ireland from Antwerp by Major Whitlock. The love affairs of gods never bode well for mortals; there were times when they caused nothing but suffering even for some of the nymphs. Mercury and Argus, 1635 by Peter Paul Rubens Click Image to view detail. Credit Line: Gift of David Keppel, 1917. He was brought up in a rich family and received a good education, proven by his biblical and mythological knowledge. The Hon. canvas: 57½ by 67 in. Their bodies form an upside down triangle and form, along with the bodies of the characters, a chiasmus (heifer, human, human, heifer) that appeals to the eye. Two artists collaborated to paint this composition. Mercury and Argus. The contrasts and the movements are highlighted by a low angle shot point of view of the scene. Upon realizing this, Juno places the heifer under the watch of the giant Argus. All image requests, regardless of their intended purpose, should be submitted via email. Their affair was frustrated by his wife Juno, who turned Io into a white heifer and entrusted her to the giant Argus. Anthonie Waterloo (Dutch, 1609/10-1690) Netherlands, 17th century. Then Mercury took with him several poppy heads, came to Argus and invited him to €f;¸ÎU€f;¸ÎU@¾C¸ÎU$:¸ÎUèf;¸ÎU f;¸ÎU@ f;¸ÎUJordaens) was born in Anvers, United Provinces of the Netherlands, in 1593. The colours of the heifers are in opposition too; while Io is white, the colour of purity, there is also a black one, a symbol of fatality and death, that covers a corner of the painting, showing a point of no return. To end their affair, Hera puts Io under the guard of the giant Argus Panoptes, who has 100 eyes. ; 146.1 by 170.2 cm. Jordaens likes to give an echo to morals in his paintings, even in those with prosaic subject-matters. Location. Argus is asleep, his hand on his stick. Mercury would later kill Argus. Part of a set. From National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., Claude Lorrain, Mercury and Argus (Mercure et Argus) (1662), Etching 1836, partly repainted 1840. ), Book I, The Eyes of Argus transform'd into a Peacock's Train, Mercure et Argus sur le site du Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, Erichthonius Discovered by the Daughters of Cecrops, Triumph of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mercury_and_Argus_(Jordaens)&oldid=948411905, Paintings of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, Articles needing additional references from November 2019, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Rooses, Max: Jacob Jordaens, London: J.M. And spreads them in her peacock's gaudy tail."[2]. not on view. The leaves and the heifers also give a gloomy impression because of their very dark colours. This is one of 14 etchings that show landscapes with biblical and mythological scenes. The Norton Simon Foundation. Are clos'd at once, in one perpetual night. Date unknown. Mercury and Argus is an oil on panel painting by the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens.It was created between 1635 and 1638 and is now in the possession of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden, Germany.Another work on the same theme and with the same title, painted on canvas by Rubens between 1636 and 1638, is in the collection of the Prado Museum, Madrid. Argus' dog is also present, but seems sheepish and impassive. And all his hundred eyes, with all their light, Upon realizing this, Juno places the heifer under the watch of the giant Argus. Condition Report. The sky confirms this feeling of a calm before the storm and sets a dynamic characteristic to the artwork along with curves that set an impression of movement. It is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon (oil on canvas 202 x 241 cm). Certificate of Authenticity. Mercury and Argus is a painting by Jacob Jordaens, painted around the year 1620. Oil on canvas. There is a true study of anatomy, shown in Argus' shrivelled up skin. Mercury, disguised as a shepherd, is invited by Argus to his camp. Mercury's muscles are prominent. Works by Giacomo Amiconi: Mercury and Argus, oil sketch, which has been acquired by the Tate Gallery. Mercury and Argus The subject of Mercury and Argus is drawn from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, which describes how Jupiter transformed his lover, Io into a white heifer to protect her from the wrath of his jealous wife, Juno.Aware of Jupiter’s deception however, Juno orders the hundred-eyed Argus … This work forms part of a collection of 57 paintings donated by the Trustees of Sir Denis Mahon s Charitable Trust through the Art Fund to 6 museums in the UK. Wearing his characteristic winged hat, and with a pan flute next to his left hand, Mercury stealthily approaches a shepherd he has lulled to sleep with the unlimited powers of his music. Mercury and Argus. In fact, the dog is looking at the hidden knife under Mercury's leg. You can see a gallery of Diego Velazquez Famous Paintings below. The Mayor of Lyon Jean-François Termes acquired the artwork in 1843 for the sum of 2,000 francs (US$1,990). You can use it however you want. framed: 67 by 77 in. 1972-07-21 Photo size: 6.7" x 6.5" inches . Mercury and Argus Pier Francesco Mola Art Funded 2012_Mahon Dimensions 31.2 x 40.8 cm Bequeathed by Sir Denis Mahon CH CBE FBA FSA through The Art Fund. These images are for non-profit use educational use. Such collaborations were common in workshops that created paintings for a thriving art market. Possibly Jaques de Roore (sale, The Hague, 4 September 1747, no. It can also be interpreted as the colour of lust, as if Argus, charmed, was in the same time perverted by Mercury. These Juno takes, that they no more may fail, Find more prominent pieces of mythological painting at Wikiart.org – best visual art database. 79). Everyone knew that Mercury was a well-known storyteller, and Argus gladly agreed. This image is in the public domain. Mercury dons a soft red tunic, balanced by a winged cap on top of his head, and sits on a gold cape that cascades down to … Italian, 1612-1648 Mercury and Argus shows Mercury, disguised as a shepherd, lulling the giant Argus to sleep in order to steal Io, the comely cow in the background of the image, for Jupiter. There is a real precision in the traits of the human characters, precision that can be found once again in paintings of Caravaggio. Every order comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from IMS Vintage Photos. Additional permission may be required. ‘Mercury and Argus’ was created in c.1659 by Diego Velazquez in Baroque style. The day was warm, and there was no other sound except the shrill singing of the cicadas. It was restored in 1991 and was lent to the Petit Palais during the exhibition "Jordaens (1593-1678), la gloire d'Anvers" from September 19, 2013 to January 19, 2014.[1]. It is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon (oil on canvas 202 x 241 cm). Two of Argus's eyes soon closed. This painting has not been recently restored, and the surface is dirty. Indeed, both artists had worked in Peter Paul Rubens’ studio, one of the most productive of the seventeenth century. Catalogue raisonné: Hollstein L.295.127. Google Arts & Culture features content from over 2000 leading museums and archives who have partnered with the Google Cultural Institute to bring the world's treasures online. Jupiter transforms his paramour, Io, into a white heifer to protect her from his jealous wife, Juno. Gift of Grover Higgins 1927.68.3 . Jordaens painted the figures, with Jan Wildens painting the landscape. Title: Mercury and Argus. The painting refers to the myth of Mercury, Argus (Argos) and Io, found in The Metamorphoses written by Ovid (I, 583 ; IX, 687): Jupiter (Zeus) falls in love with Io, a priestess of Hera, his wife, who quickly discovers the affair. Mercury and Argus is a representation of the myth, but also renews it with a very baroque style influenced by realism that re-establishes the myth in reality and popularises it. This artist was not chiefly interested in the myth, but he or she needed an excuse for painting a landscape. Jordaens depicts the tense moment when Mercury, sent by Jupiter to kill Argus, slyly approaches the watchman after lulling him to sleep with his pipe; Io stands placidly by at the right. Oil on unlined canvas. ‘Mercury and Argus’ was created in 1981 by Salvador Dali in Surrealism style. Download and Share. Room 009. Oil on unlined canvas, 127 x 250 cm Wearing his characteristic winged hat, and with a pan flute next to his left hand, Mercury stealthily approaches a shepherd he has lulled to sleep with the unlimited powers of his music. Hera understands his strategy and demands the heifer as a present. Anthonie Waterloo (Dutch, 1609/10-1690) Netherlands, 17th century. The underlying story is the following (source: Souli, 1995, p. 40). Mercury and Argus Ca. ; 170.2 by 195.6 cm. According to Ovid (Metamorphosis, book V), in order to avoid her husband Jupiter´s infidelities, the goddess, Juno, converted the nymph, Io, into a lamb and called on Argos, the shepherd, to look after her. Catalogue raisonné: Hollstein L.295.127. Upon receipt of both the signed contract and full payment, the Office of Rights and Reproductions will provide the image. Mercury sat down on a stone by the side of Argus, and began to play - very softly, so softly that the music was like the sighing of the wind through the branches of the trees. From behind a tree on the right emerges Io in the form of a heifer. The Mercury And Argus Oil Canvas Museo Del Prado Madrid below is a part of Diego Velazquez Famous Paintings Collection Gallery. Mercury seated under a tree on the left, wearing his winged helmet, is shown playing his pipe, the caduceus lying on the ground beside him, lulling the all-seeing giant Argus to sleep in a wooded landscape his head supported on his left hand; his right hand rests on his staff. South and Southeast Asian Paintings and Sculpture, Impressions: Stories Behind the Collection. Etching. Rose Talbot, Malahide Castle, outside Dublin, (sale, Christie's, London, 2 April 1976, lot 62 to; Mercury is dressed in blue and white while Argus is dressed in red, and these two colours are opposed. (25 x 34.3 cm) plate: 6 3/8 x 8 3/4 in. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis B. Williams Collection 1944.48 . Turner's romantic landscape has a classical subject. Mercury learned that Juno had guessed all about it long ago and ordered her friend Argus to guard Io. Mercury, the standing figure, lulls the seated Argus to sleep with his flute, thus leaving the beautiful white cow--a transformation of the nymph Io--unguarded. Jupiter commands his son Mercury (Hermes) to set Io free by lulling Argus to sleep with an enchanted flute. While the landscape is a foreshadow, the scene is not violent because the murder is on the verge of happening. Mercury, disguised as a barefooted young shepherd with a straw hat, is gazing at Argus (who, unlike the myth, has only two eyes) and is about to strike a lethal blow. (Alexander Mangin (1732-1802) or William Ashford (1746-1824) et al sale, James Vallance, Dublin, 9 May 1803, lot 116); The background is in fact a foreshadow of the murder; the colours of the sky and the bushes are dark, and three of the heifers are looking at the spectator. Mercury and Argus is a painting by Jacob Jordaens, painted around the year 1620. Description: Argus rests on a stone while Mercury plays on the shepherd's flute. Please fill out our Online Reproduction Request Form. This precision reinforces the baroque style of the artwork. 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