A FLEMISH MYTHOLOGICAL TAPESTRY

17TH CENTURY

细节

A FLEMISH MYTHOLOGICAL TAPESTRY
17th Century
Woven in wools and silks, depicting Mercury wearing his winged hat and playing his recorder to Argos, before Mercury a sword and his caduceus, behind Argos lo turned into a white heifer, Mercury seated within a border of crossed quivers and Coats of Arms, cartouches with Mercury's staff and floral sprays, within a later dark green outer slip, areas of reweaving, especially to the figures, the outer pale brown and beige border partially woven
11 ft. 5 in. x 8 ft. 5 in. (349.5 cm. x 256 cm.)

拍品专文

One of Jupiter's many loves was Io. Juno, Jupiter's wife, frustrated the love by turning Io into a white heifer and entrusting her to the hundred-eyed giant Argos. Jupiter in revenge sent Mercury to slay the giant, which he did after lulling him to sleep with music.

A tapestry with very similar borders and cartouches with identical arrowed insignias to the corners, depicting Diana and Apollo, was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 2 May 1997, lot 218, while another with similar borders and insignias depicting Paris before Priam was offered anonymously in these Rooms, 26 November 1996, lot 216.