Mercury About to Behead Argus

Artist Ubaldo Gandolfi (Italian, 1728–1781)

Datecirca 1770–1775

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions86 1/8 x 53 7/8 in. (218.8 x 136.8 cm)
Frame: 98 x 59 7/8 in. (248.9 x 152.1 cm)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the North Carolina State Art Society (Robert F. Phifer Bequest), in memory of Robert Lee Humber

Object number83.2

On View

On view

Collections

ProvenanceCommissioned ca. 1770 by Count Vincenzo Antonio Maria Marescalchi (1701–91) for the Palazzo Marescalchi in Bologna; his son, Count Ferdinando Marescalchi (1753–1816), Palazzo Marescalchi, Bologna, recorded in inventory made ca. 1813–14; his son, Count Carlo Alfonso Marcello Marescalchi (1782–1868), Bologna and Paris, after 1816; by descent to his son, Napoleone Carlo Ferdinando (b. 1813); taken to France, ca. 1820–30 [Biagi Maino, 1990, 264, no. 72]; French art market, 1958; Eduardo Moratilla (1901–73), Paris; sold Drouot, Paris, along with 5 other works, in the 1970s; [with Marcelo and Carlo Sestieri, Rome?]; with P. D. Colnaghi and Co. before 1976; sold to NCMA, 1983.