Plate XXXVIII (38): Mercury, from "Museum Florentinum" (Statuae antiquae dorum et virorum illustrium) by Carlo Gregori

Plate XXXVIII (38): Mercury, from "Museum Florentinum" (Statuae antiquae dorum et virorum illustrium)

1734

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Artwork details

Medium
drawing, print, etching
Dimensions
Sheet: 15 3/16 × 10 1/16 in. (38.5 × 25.5 cm) Plate: 14 × 9 1/16 in. (35.5 × 23 cm)
Location
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Copyright
Public Domain

Tags

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drawing

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allegory

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baroque

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print

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etching

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classical-realism

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nude

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male-nude

About this artwork

Carlo Gregori created this print of Mercury for the "Museum Florentinum" in the mid-18th century. The dominant experience is one of classical serenity, rendered through the cool precision of engraved lines. Mercury is depicted nude, leaning casually against a tree trunk. The composition adheres to classical ideals, emphasizing balance and idealized human form. Lines define the contours of Mercury’s body, creating a sense of volume and musculature. The texture is smooth, mirroring the marble-like appearance of classical sculpture it emulates. Yet, the print transcends mere reproduction. Gregori engages with Enlightenment ideas, using the print medium to democratize access to classical art. The engraving challenges notions of authenticity and originality, prompting us to reconsider how meaning is constructed and disseminated through images. Note the formal tension between the subject's sensuality and the intellectual coolness of the print. This interplay invites continuous questioning of aesthetic and cultural values.

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