18th century German school, N. Faas ?
Mercury presenting the head of Argus to Juno
203 x 253 mm – 7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.
Ink and blue ink wash.
Framed in pencil with inscription at the bottom in the middle « N: Faas » and dated at the bottom right « 1749 ».
This drawing represents the god Mercury, kneeling, presenting to the goddess Juno the head of the giant Argus. This illustration takes up the episode of Mercury and Argus from Metamorphoses Ovid ( book I, 668-688; 713-723 ): Juno, invaded by jealousy, had instructed the giant Argus with a hundred eyes to watch over Io, a young priestess, that her husband Jupiter had seduced and transformed into heifer. Jupiter ordered his son Mercury to kill Argus to deliver Io. He charmed him with his flute and cut off his head. Juno collected the hundred eyes of Argus which she placed « on the feathers of the bird dedicated to it, they shine in stars, on its spread tail »[ 1 ]. The protagonists of this mythological scene are remarkably executed, both kneeling Mercury, and Juno accompanied by his favorite animal, contemplating Argus’ severed head. A great realism emerges from this scene of a particularly careful achievement. The name N: Faas written on the montage does not allow us to attach this drawing to the work of a listed artist. We propose tokeep this sheet, due to the style and use of blue ink screw, as 18th century German school.
Condition report: slight bites.
[ 1 ] Metamorphoses Ovide ( book I, 720-723 ).
