Mercurius met wereldkaarten
1649
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
234; 165
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
height 234 mm x width 165 mm
Art Historical Context
Claude Mellan's *Mercurius met wereldarten* (Mercury with Maps), created in 1649, is a striking engraving measuring 234 mm in height by 165 mm in width Mellan, a renowned Frenchaver active in the Baroque era (8–1688), was for his technical virtuosity in intaglio printmaking. Working primarily in Paris after time in Rome, he produced works that showcased extraordinary precision and density of line, bridging art and scientific illustration during Europe's Age of Exploration. The composition features the Roman god Mercury—messenger of the gods, patron of commerce, travelers, and thieves—surround...
About the Artist
Claude Mellan · 1598–1688
Claude Mellan (1598-1688) was a French draughtsman, engraver, and painter who became one of the most innovative printmakers of the French Baroque period. Born in Abbeville to a family of coppersmiths, Mellan rose to become Peintre et Graveur Ordinaire du Roi (Painter and Engraver in Ordinary to the King), achieving recognition for his extraordinary technical mastery. Mellan's artistic significanc...