Mercury and Battus

Francisque Millet

Created:
Movement:
1679
Baroque
key Notes:
Mythological narrative; Baroque landscape.
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Dimensions:
47 x 70 in. (119.4 x 177.8 cm)
medium:
Oil on canvas
Difficulty:
Expert
New game
story of the work:

We have not been able to find much information about this work, or we believe the information we sourced needed more review.

Mercury and Battus by Francisque Millet

Francisque Millet (1642–1679) was a French painter known for his landscapes and mythological scenes, often drawing inspiration from the classical traditions of the Italian Renaissance. His painting, Mercury and Battus, created in 1679, exemplifies his skill in using oil on canvas to depict mythological narratives with a refined sense of composition and atmospheric perspective. The work illustrates the myth of Mercury and Battus, a tale from Ovid's Metamorphoses, showcasing Millet's ability to blend human figures harmoniously within a natural setting. Millet's contributions to the Baroque period are significant, as he helped to bridge the transition between the classical landscape traditions and the emerging Rococo style. Despite his relatively short life, Millet's works were influential in shaping the landscape genre in France, and his paintings are noted for their delicate balance between narrative content and natural beauty.

Description of the work:

Mercury and Battus by Francisque Millet

Created in 1679, "Mercury and Battus" by Francisque Millet is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies the Baroque style with its dynamic composition and dramatic use of light and shadow. The artwork depicts the mythological encounter between Mercury and Battus, showcasing Millet's skill in rendering classical themes with vivid detail.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Mercury and Battus