On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01673
- Author
- Rubens, Peter Paul (Flemish)
- Title
- Mercury and Argos
- Chronology
- 1636-1638
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 179 cm x 297 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- No
- Entrance
- COLECCIONREAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
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. Jupiter sent Mercury, the
gods' messenger, to kill Argos and
recover the nymph.
Rubens depicts Mercury without his
traditional attributes. He only
carries his sword and the flute
with which he put his victim to
sleep just before striking his
mortal blow.
The composition is based on Italian
Renaissance prints, and the figure
of Mercury reproduces the movement
of a classical sculpture. The
diagonals and scorzos of the three
figures display the artist's most
Baroque style.
This work was painted for the Torre
de la Parada, a small royal palace
near Madrid, and was listed there
in 1701.
Listen to the
audioguide