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Mercury with the Head of Argus

Etienne Delaune

1551

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Allegory

Dominant colour

Mercury with the Head of Argus is a 1551 ink by Etienne Delaune, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Etienne Delaune
When & what style?: 1551 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a black-and-white engraving of a winged figure holding a staff and a severed head. The figure stands on a cloud-like base with swirling patterns around it. The top of the image is shaped like a shield, with small decorative scenes in the corners. The figure is Mercury, a messenger god, holding the head of Argus, a giant with many eyes. The intricate lines and shading create depth and texture. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Delaune made detailed prints.