Merkur 1550 - 1650

"Merkur" is a study of the human figure created by Anthony van Dyck sometime between 1550 and 1650. The drawing, which is in pen and ink, shows a nude male figure from the back. The artist's use of hatching and cross-hatching in the drawing creates a sense of volume and depth. This study, now housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, exemplifies van Dyck’s masterful handling of the human form, showcasing his interest in anatomy and classical sculpture. The drawing served as a study for a larger composition, likely a painting.