A strange and silent piece of work that stands in its original format; lengthy and narrow, illuminated against the light of the windows. This mirrored room should be exposed.
I know the Baroque work of Rubens that precedes this one. Mercurio has the sword lifted, ready to kill Argos – it is an energetic and essentially baroque scene. In this case, Mercurio is stealthily advancing in an attempt not to awake Argos, who having heard music has fallen into a deep sleep.
What a beautiful scene! There is a striking balance, difficult to replicate. Fascinating, without a doubt.
I do not predict to see the excellence of scenery in this small illustration, but I do know well the metamorphosis of Ovidio (Metamorfosis 1, 625-723). It is not difficult to see that, for experts of sayings and literature, there are no landscapes more beautiful that those provoked by the imagination, because only those correspond with the soul and reach grandeur, my friend.
How interesting it is that this Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velazquezpersuades you, my dear colleague, to draw upon something that is hardly visually imaginable. But, is there a difference? Tell me, is it during the day or the night that Mercurio stealthily advances towards Argos? What awaits Argos? How many seconds of this life remain?
What an appealing scene, that which precedes his death. Silence, surprise, danger, fear, terror… Do you feel the danger that is alive in this piece? A delicious horror.
Would you agree with me, that this painter intends to represent the sublime through that which is existence, and adversely, the irrationality that provokes fear in us? Here, it is only fear that leaves us paralyzed.
If you were to be placed in front of such a feeling of shadow and terror, tell me dear friend that you would not be in front of the most powerful and pure feeling that you have ever felt. In summary, this is my idea of that which is sublime.
Please, you first, let´s continue to enjoy such works found in this palace.
The Spanish Kings and Queens have been great lovers of art, and their collections are unequalled.
Thank you to my teacher JORDI ALBERICH PASCUAL
