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Mercury

Artist Giovanni da Bologna (Douai, France, 1529 - 1608)

Datec. 1579

Mediumplaster cast painted black on art gallery base

ClassificationsSculptures

DimensionsOverall: Height: 185 cm, Width: 48 cm, Depth: 100 cm
Plinth Size: Height: 122 cm, Width: 50.5 cm, Depth: 50.5 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1905 by G J Scott.

CopyrightOut of copyright

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG004802

Keywords

Mythology

About MeThe original, of bronze, was made in 1564 for Cosimo I de' Medici, by Giovanni da Bologna, a Flemish artist who lived in Italy for most of his life.

The statue was formerly on a fountain in the Villa Medici, Rome. In 1775 it was removed to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. It is now at the Bargello, Florence.

Mercury is shown as the divine messenger of Roman mythology carrying out Jupiter's behests; the upward gesture of his right hand alludes to the higher power by whom he is sent. By choosing the motif of a figure in flight, which had previously been restricted to two dimensional media, "Giambologna" broke away from the static laws that had governed sculpture until then and opened up entirely new possibilities for Renaissance sculptors.