The Medici Mercury after Giambologna 1692 - 1775

This red chalk drawing is a copy of Giambologna’s famous sculpture *Mercury*, the Roman god of commerce, travel, and thievery. The anonymous artist captured the dynamic pose and anatomy of the original sculpture, depicting the winged messenger god balancing on one foot as he prepares to take flight. The drawing is currently located at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst. The drawing exemplifies the tradition of studying and copying sculptures in the 17th and 18th centuries, an important tool for the development of drawing skills.