Mercury Abducting Psyche: Mercury Seen in Profile
Mercury Abducting Psyche: Mercury Seen in Profile

Currently not on view

Mercury Abducting Psyche: Mercury Seen in Profile,

ca. 1597

Jan Harmensz Müller, Dutch, 1571–1628
after Adriaen de Vries, Dutch, ca. 1545–1626
Published by Hermen Jansz. Müller, Dutch, ca. 1540–1617
x1982-6
The Amsterdam printmaker Jan Müller reproduced works by his contemporaries, including his brother-in-law Adriaen de Vries, court sculptor to Emperor Rudolf II in Prague and leading representative of the international Mannerist style—as exemplified by the elegant and elongated figures of his monumental bronze Mercury Abducting Psyche. In this masterpiece of spiraling complexity, De Vries evoked the mythological episode in which Mercury, winged messenger to the gods, bears the beautiful mortal Psyche aloft to Mount Olympus. Müller’s virtuoso engraving is one of three widely disseminated prints by him that represent the sculpture from different angles.

Information

Title
Mercury Abducting Psyche: Mercury Seen in Profile
Dates

ca. 1597

Maker
Jan Harmensz Müller
after Adriaen de Vries
Published by Hermen Jansz. Müller
Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
trimmed to plate: 50 × 25.2 cm (19 11/16 × 9 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Object Number
x1982-6
Place Made

Europe, Netherlands, Amsterdam

Inscription
Inscribed, dedicated, and signed in plate on pedestal, lower center: IVSSV RHVDOLPHI. II. CÆSARIS AVGVSTI, / ADRIANVS DE VRIES HAGIENSIS FACIEBAT PRAGÆ. / OPVS ALTITVDINIS PEDVM OCTO. 1593. / In gratiam D: Adriani de Vries, Cognati sui chariß:mi / Sculpebat Iohannes Mullerus. / Harman: Muller: excudebat
Marks/Labels/Seals
watermarks: city gate and GS
Reference Numbers
Bartsch 292.82; Hollstein 56; New Hollstein 82
Culture
European, Dutch
Type
engravings, prints
Materials
printing ink
Techniques
engraving (printing process)
Subject
men, figures (representations), women, Roman mythology

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The Museum regularly researches its objects and their collecting histories, updating its records to reflect new information. We also strive to catalogue works of art using language that is consistent with how people, subjects, artists, and cultures describe themselves. As this effort is ongoing, the Museum’s records may be incomplete or contain terms that are no longer acceptable. We welcome your feedback, questions, and additional information that you feel may be useful to us. Email us at collectionsinfo@princeton.edu.

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