Mercury seated on shore with back to rocks; primitive lyre in lap; cupid behind holding broken string; winged figure ar right carrying flaming torch

Mercury Inventing the Lyre, 1775

Mezzotintexpand_more

Gift of John Crosbyexpand_more  P.47.46

According to the myth of Mercury—the Roman god of commerce, communication, and trickery—he was just a few days old when he stole a herd of cattle that belonged to Apollo. After killing one of the bulls, Mercury made strings of its guts, stretched them over a tortoise shell, and the lyre was born. Though initially angry with Mercury, Apollo forgave his crime in exchange for the new string instrument.

Details
Title
Mercury Inventing the Lyre
Artist Life
1752 - 1812
Role
Artist
Accession Number
P.47.46
Curator Approved

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Mercury seated on shore with back to rocks; primitive lyre in lap; cupid behind holding broken string; winged figure ar right carrying flaming torch