Public domain
Mercury plays the flute for Argus
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Under the shade of several trees, Mercury, in the guise of a shepherd, plays his flute for Argus. He tries to lull his hundred eyes to sleep. The caduceus, a magic wand entwined with snakes, reveals who he really is. Argus guards the cow Io on behalf of Juno. Below the image, two pairs of Latin verses. The print is part of an album.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineMercurius speelt fluit voor Argus. 1589. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
