Mercury and Battus
Artist: Francisque Millet (French, 1642–1679)
Original Dimensions: 47" x 70"
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
About Artwork: (not listed) "The story of the old shepherd Battus, who, having witnessed Mercury's theft of a herd of cattle, promised not to disclose the secret, is recounted in Ovid’s Metamorphoses (II: 668 ff.). When tested by the god, shown here in the guise of a young shepherd, he pointed to the foot of the mountain where the cattle were hidden. Mercury then turned him into a stone. The picture was once attributed to Poussin. Its authorship is established by an engraving bearing Millet's name." - (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

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