# Mercury and Argus

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/mercury-and-argus-reaea531d563ffe>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [VELAZQUEZ, Diego Rodriguez de Silva y](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882>)
- Date: 1601-1650
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 127 x 248 cm

## Commentary

Since the publication in 1925 of the contents of Velázquez&#39;s private library, which contained 156 learned works, it has been obvious that he did have an extensive fund of knowledge. His references to classical mythology, for instance in the painting Mercury and Argus of around 1659, should be viewed in this light.

## Related artworks

- [A White Horse](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/a-white-horse-r88fda1098b410c>)
- [A Young Man \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/a-young-man-detail-rfd0607be7157a9>)
- [Abbess Jerónima de la Fuente](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/abbess-jernima-de-la-fuente-r4ae45416cac1ec>)
- [Aesop](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/aesop-rf47ea618134f06>)
- [Arachne](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/arachne-r5d492e08cd92be>)
- [Breakfast](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/breakfast-r969876461636b8>)
- [Cardinal Infante Don Fernando as a Hunter](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/cardinal-infante-don-fernando-as-a-hunter-r460000ec0a192b>)
- [Christ in the House of Mary and Martha \(detail\)](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/christ-in-the-house-of-mary-and-martha-detail-rf3e0f896577f0b>)
- [Christ in the House of Mary and Martha](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/christ-in-the-house-of-mary-and-martha-r2c40f1294502af>)
- [Christ on the Cross](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/christ-on-the-cross-r0ec1c4cab313e8>)
- [Court Dwarf Don Antonio el Inglés](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/court-dwarf-don-antonio-el-ingls-re2ec030fe54f9e>)
- [Democritus](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/velazquez-diego-rodriguez-de-silva-y-r4f5af220b7c882/democritus-r2c7cf426a69fef>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)