Donato Creti (Cremona, 1671 - Bologna, 1749)
Mercury Brings Juno the Head of Argus, 1721 ca.
oil on canvas; inv. P 46
provenance: Bequest of Marcantonio Collina Sbaraglia to the Senate, 1744
This painting is a pendant to no. 13. A work of extreme refinement and
elegance, this painting illustrates Creti's passion for the study of
beauty and form rather than dramatic action.
The painting depicts the tale of Jupiter's love for the beautiful
priestess Io. In order to hide her from the suspicious Juno, Jupiter
transforms Io into a heifer and denies having any interest in her.
However, the shrewd Juno entrusts Io to the custody of the giant
shepherd Argus, half of whose hundred eyes were always open. Jupiter
then orders Mercury to put Argus to sleep, cut off his head and let Io
go free.
In this painting, Mercury is bringing Juno Argus’ head. In
everlasting memory of him, Juno later turned his eyes into ornaments on
the feathers of her sacred animal, the peacock.
