Mercury Abducting Psyche

c. 1597

Jan Muller, after Adriaen de Vries

Associated Names
Jan Muller

Artist, Netherlandish, 1571 - 1628

Adriaen de Vries

Artist After, Netherlandish, c. 1556 - 1626

The sculpture depicts two intertwined human figures. One figure holds an object on raised fingertips above their head, while the other figure embraces them closely. The bodies are detailed with visible musculature and dynamic poses. The material appears to be a monochromatic stone or metal, with shading. The sculpture is supported on a pedestal with inscriptions at the base. The figures are rendered lifelike in proportion and detail.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ruth and Jacob Kainen Memorial Acquisition Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 51 × 26 cm (20 1/16 × 10 1/4 in.)
    sheet: 51.5 × 26.4 cm (20 1/4 × 10 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2022.24.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    New Hollstein, no. 83, State iii/iv

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Tajan, Paris, 7 April 2006, no. 21); (Hill-Stone, New York); Saul Steinberg, New York; (C. G. Boerner, New York); purchased 2022 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1993

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. (The Muller Dynasty, Jan Piet Filedt Kok, author). Rotterdam: Sound & Vision Publishers, 1999: no. 83, iii/iv.

Inscriptions

on pedestal at bottom, in plate: IVSSV RHVDOLPHI .II. CAESARIS AVGVSTI, / ADRIANVS DE VRIES HAGIENSIS FACIEBAT PRAGAE. / OPVS ALTITVDINIS PEDVM OCTO. EX AERE . 1593. / In gratiam D: Adriani de Vries, Cognati sui chariss:mi / sculpebat Iohannes Mullerus. / Harman: Muller: excud.

Markings

none

Watermarks

shield with postal horn (Heawood 2647, Antwerp 1598)

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