Landscape with Mercury Raising His Sword to Kill a Sleeping Argus
1589
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1589
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows a muscular man standing over a sleeping figure on the ground. A lion lies nearby, and a tree with leaves grows in the background. The standing man holds a sword raised above his head, ready to strike. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth and texture. The scene looks like it’s set in a forest or wilderness. Try looking up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
