Mercury with the Head of Argus

Etienne Delaune

Associated Names
Etienne Delaune

Artist, French, 1518/1519 - 1583

This print shows an ornate motif with a person in the center. Surrounding the person are intricate decorative elements like floral motifs, birds, mythical creatures, swirls, vases, and busts of faces. All of the designs are in white against a black background. The person in the center is a partially nude man with wings on his ankles and helmet and a cloak over his shoulders, and he holds a staff with two entwined snakes in one hand and what appears to be a decapitated head in the other. Above him are birds and vases with flowers, and below him are three faces, two with pointed ears and one with long hair. The overall composition is symmetrical, resembling a decorative plate or shield. Around the design is a wide border of beige paper.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 5.5 × 4.1 cm (2 3/16 × 1 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.3393

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Robert-Dumesnil, no. 392

  • Series Title

    Various Ornament Subjects in the Shape of the Cross of Lorra


Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1967

  • Robert-Dumesnil, A.P.F. Le peintre-graveur francais, ou catalogue raisonne des estampes gravees par les peintres et les dessinateurs de l'ecole francaise, ouvrage faisant suite au peintre-graveur de M. Bartsch. Reprint (11 vols. in 6). Paris: F. deNobe

Wikidata ID

Q64955787

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