Artwork
Mercury, Argus and Io
Mercury, Argus and Io is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1659 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
The painting 'Mercury, Argus and Io' depicts a scene from classical mythology, showing Mercury checking if Argus is asleep, with Io, transformed into a cow, nearby.
Subject & Meaning
The scene is drawn from ancient myth, where Mercury is tasked with lulling Argus to sleep to free Io, who has been transformed into a cow by the gods.
Technique & Style
This work is a copy of a lost original by Peter Paul Rubens, which was destroyed in a fire, making this version the primary surviving representation of the composition.
History & Provenance
As a copy of a lost Rubens original, the painting's significance lies in its preservation of the composition and style of the earlier work.
Artist & collection
