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Mercury

Unknown

1750

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Baroque 18th Century

Dominant colour

Mercury is a 1750 by Unknown, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1750 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a muscular man with wings on his heels and a hat in one hand. He stands sideways, his body turned slightly toward us, while his head faces forward. The lines are loose and quick, with some shading to suggest muscle and movement. The drawing looks like a study—maybe for a bigger painting. The artist focused on the body’s shape and the wing details. If you like this style, check out Baroque.

The story of this work

Overview

The drawing 'Mercury' is a sketch depicting a muscular male figure with wings on his heels and a hat in one hand. The work showcases loose and quick lines with shading to convey movement and anatomy.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is posed sideways with his body turned slightly towards the viewer, while his head faces forward. The subject is likely the Roman messenger god Mercury, identifiable by his winged heels.

Technique & Style

The drawing's loose and expressive lines, combined with shading, suggest a study focused on capturing the body's shape and the details of the wings. The style is characteristic of a preparatory work, possibly for a larger composition.

Read the full account in the museum source.