Artwork
Mercury
Mercury is a drawing by the Baroque artist Jan de Bisschop. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Jan de Bisschop's 'Mercury' is a drawing from 1628, part of a collection of 140 works bound together.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a bare-chested male figure standing on a small base, holding a hat. The pose conveys confidence, and the figure's anatomy is rendered with attention to shape and balance.
Technique & Style
The drawing is characterized by soft yet defined lines and shading that creates a smooth appearance. The artist's focus on the figure's form and balance is typical of the Baroque style, which emphasized movement and drama.
History & Provenance
The drawing was owned by several collectors, including Goswin Uilenbroek and Horace Walpole, before being purchased by a museum in 1889 from dealer Edwin Parsons. Each sheet in the volume bears a dry stamp referencing a prior owner's mark.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan de Bisschop, also known as Johannes Episcopius (1628–1671), was a lawyer, who became a Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver.
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