Artwork
Mercury Abducting Psyche
Mercury Abducting Psyche is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Michael Philip I. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:at bottom centre, in pen and brown ink: 1 Michael (?) Pillip facit An: 1651
About this work
Overview
Mercury Abducting Psyche is a drawing created by Michael Philip I in 1652, executed in a mix of black chalk, pen and brown ink, brown and grey wash, and white heightening.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts Mercury, identifiable by his winged helmet and foot, carrying Psyche, whose cloth-draped figure is wrapped around his waist. The scene illustrates a moment of abduction, with the figures posed in a dynamic, intertwined stance.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of varied media and contrasting tones achieves a sense of depth and volume, characteristic of Baroque art's emphasis on dramatic lighting and dynamic composition.
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Artist & collection
