An Evening Landscape with Mercury and Argus

William Ashford (Birmingham 1746 – Sandy Mount, Dublin 1824). Oil painting on canvas, An Evening landscape with Mercury and Argus by William Ashford (Birmingham 1746 – Sandy Mount, Dublin 1824), signed and dated, bottom left: W. Ashford 1777. Pendant to WIM/P/26, but more Salvator Rosa-ish in inspiration. Mercury was sent to Jupiter to lull the hundred-eyed Argus to sleep with his piping, so that he could cut off the beast's head and release Jupiter's beloved Io. Jupiter had transformed Io into a cow in the vain hope of sheltering her from the jealous anger of his wife, Juno. Wimpole, Cambridgeshire (Accredited Museum)