Mercury Delivers the Infant Bacchus to the Nymphs
This rare and impressive print characteristic of Gagneraux's elegant neoclassical style. Trained in Dijon, he won the prix-de-Rome and left in 1779 for Italy, where he would spend the remainder of his career. His contemporaries in Rome included Mengs, Sergel, Fuseli, Canova, and David. While line engravings would be popularized by Flaxman and others, Gagneraux was among the first to adopt this manner of printmaking.
This impression is a proof impression, with drawing in graphite indicating where the artist intended to further work the plate.
This impression is a proof impression, with drawing in graphite indicating where the artist intended to further work the plate.
Artwork Details
- Title: Mercury Delivers the Infant Bacchus to the Nymphs
- Artist: Bénigne Gagneraux (French, Dijon 1756–1795 Florence)
- Date: ca. 1789–90
- Medium: Etching, proof impression, partly reworked in graphite
- Dimensions: Sheet: 19 9/16 × 25 1/4 in. (49.7 × 64.1 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: A. Hyatt Mayor Purchase Fund, Marjorie Phelps Starr Bequest, 2016
- Object Number: 2016.566
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
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Bénigne Gagneraux
ca.1790–95
Gabriel de Saint-Aubin
1766
Multiple artists/makers
1771, 1764
Abraham Bosse
Jean I Leblond
1626–28
Gideon Saint
ca. 1760
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