Artwork preview

Mercury Killing Argus

Georg Andreas Wolfgang the Elder

National Gallery of Art

The image is a circular etching viewed from a moderately elevated perspective. In the center, a male figure stands with a sword in one hand and the head of another figure in the other, within a rocky terrain. A prone figure lies on the ground to the left, close to us, while a resting animal sits nearby. In the distance, a small waterfall and a cluster of trees can be seen. The etching style features fine lines and cross-hatching for textures and shadows. The color palette is monochromatic, with tones of black and white. On the right, another figure is visible walking up a slope.

Artwork Details

Date
1665
Medium
etching on laid paper
Dimensions
3295 × 3532 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original