Mercurius doodt Argus 1659

Editor: This is "Mercurius Doodt Argus," or "Mercury kills Argus," an engraving by Nicolaes Cornelisz. Witsen, dating from 1659. There's a stark brutality in the scene. What are your thoughts as you examine it? Curator: Well, first, let’s acknowledge the political undercurrents in representing this particular mythological scene. This story from Ovid's Metamorphoses, where Mercury slays Argus to free Io, isn’t just a tale of gods and monsters. Consider the power dynamics at play: a powerful, jealous goddess, Juno, imprisons Io. Mercury, acting on Jupiter’s behalf, uses deception and violence to liberate her. It speaks volumes about the patriarchal structures of the time and how they justified intervention, even through bloodshed, for the sake of a preordained order. Where do you see evidence of that justification within the engraving itself? Editor: I notice how Mercury is depicted almost heroically, standing tall, while Argus is prone, almost a defeated beast, despite being tasked to act for Juno. There's an imbalance created through pose and scale. Curator: Exactly. Witsen employs visual language to subtly champion Mercury's act. How might contemporary feminist theory unpack Juno's role? Is she merely a villain, or a symbol of female rage and power, however misdirected? Editor: I suppose seeing her anger as misdirected, serves to further a patriarchal reading? One where women can only act by command of or benefit men? It really changes the way I see the work now! Curator: It is always helpful to examine who benefits from the telling of the story and the construction of these gendered roles. We must also consider the impact and agency of Io in this situation. It changes how we view not only the artwork, but the power dynamics it embodies. Editor: It's interesting how much a seemingly simple engraving can reveal about the complex social and political ideologies of its time!