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A finely detailed etching by Claudio Gellee, better known as Claude Lorrain (1600-1682). This print is a later restrike of a seventeenth-century original, and depicts the myth of Mercury and Argus, as told in The Metamorphoses by Ovid. In the story, Jupiter (Zeus) falls in love with Io, a priestess of Hera. When his wife discovers the affair, Jupiter transforms himself into a bull and Io into a white heifer to hide from Hera's wrath. Hera sees through this deception and demands the heifer as a gift. To end the affair, she places Io under guard by the giant Argus Panoptes. Jupiter commands his son Mercury (Hermes) to free Io by lulling Argus to sleep with an enchanted flute, which is the moment pictured here. Mercury, disguised as a shepherd, is invited to Argus's camp, where he charms the giant with lullabies before beheading him. Well presented in a wooden frame with a gilt-effect slip. On laid.
Condition
Signs of wear consistent with age, including some discolouration. Wear to the frame. Small loss to the lower left corner.
Size
16 x 22cm (6.3" x 8.7")Framed Size: 34 x 42cm (13.4" x 16.5")
Artist Biography
Claude Lorrain (1600-1682), born Claude Gellée, was a painter and etcher of the Baroque era from the Duchy of Lorraine. He spent most of his life, however, in Italy, where he established himself as one of the leading landscape artists in the country. His landscapes often also included elements of history painting, as well as biblical and mythological scenes.
