Io and Argus

Io, changed into a heifer, rests under the watch of Argus while Mercury approaches with music and a story. The chapter traces Jupiter's concealment of Io, Juno's suspicion, and the appointment of the many-eyed guardian. Mercury lulls Argus to sleep before killing him; Juno later places his eyes upon her peacock's tail.

The surrounding text also explains why the story of Pan and Syrinx follows this image: it is the account of the reed pipe told during Mercury's deception. The pastoral calm therefore conceals a chain of surveillance, transformation and impending violence.

Historical context is adapted from the accompanying commentary by Antoine de La Barre de Beaumarchais. Its interpretations reflect the period in which the book was published.

This edition follows plate 10 in Le Temple des Muses. The complete historical page and its explanatory text remain available in the source record. Source attribution: Bernard Picart and other engravers, Le Temple des Muses (1749 edition). Museum date: 1749 (publication). Source medium: Engraving, inner pictorial scene. Source portfolio: Le Temple des Muses, plate 10.

The inner illustration has been straightened and extracted from its surrounding engraved frame, caption and paper. The comparison shows that extracted engraving beside Surrealium's contemporary colour interpretation.

Surrealium's contemporary AI-assisted colour interpretation takes this print as its starting point. The colours are interpretive choices made for this edition.

Compare the museum original with the Surrealium edition, then order the finished work as a fine-art print or canvas. No subscription is required to purchase. Customisation is available to active Fable subscribers.