Mercury Delivers the Infant Bacchus to the Nymphs

Bénigne Gagneraux

ca. 1789–90 · Etching, proof impression, partly reworked in graphite · Drawings and Prints

This rare and impressive print characteristic of Gagneraux's elegant neoclassical style. Trained in Dijon, he won the prix-de-Rome and left in 1779 for Italy, where he would spend the remainder of his career. His contemporaries in Rome included Mengs, Sergel, Fuseli, Canova, and David. While line engravings would be popularized by Flaxman and others, Gagneraux was among the first to adopt this manner of printmaking. This impression is a proof impression, with drawing in graphite indicating where the artist intended to further work the plate.

Artist

Bénigne Gagneraux

Date

ca. 1789–90

Medium

Etching, proof impression, partly reworked in graphite

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

A. Hyatt Mayor Purchase Fund, Marjorie Phelps Starr Bequest, 2016