Mercurius ontvoert Psyche - Huib Luns

A 1929 graphite study by Huib Luns, capturing the dynamic form of Giambologna's bronze sculpture, Mercury Abducting Psyche.

This drawing by the Dutch artist Huib Luns, dated 1929, depicts the famous bronze sculpture 'Mercury Abducting Psyche' by the Mannerist master Giambologna. Luns captures the dynamic, spiralling composition of the original work, which is housed in the Rijksmuseum. The drawing focuses on the physical tension between the two figures as Mercury lifts Psyche into the air.

Luns employs a confident, hatched technique to define the musculature and the play of light across the bronze surfaces. The artist pays close attention to the contrapposto stance and the upward momentum inherent in the sculpture. By framing the figures within a simple rectangular border, Luns isolates the sculptural form from its surroundings, allowing the viewer to focus on the anatomical precision and the fluid movement of the bronze. The inclusion of the pedestal and the base details provides a sense of scale and context, grounding the ethereal subject in a tangible, museum-like setting.

The work reflects a traditional approach to art education, where artists would visit museums to copy masterworks to refine their understanding of form and composition. Luns, who was also a professor at the Technical University in Delft, demonstrates a clear grasp of classical proportions and the dramatic energy characteristic of Giambologna's output. The drawing is a study in light and shadow, using graphite to replicate the reflective qualities of metal. It remains a fine example of early twentieth-century academic practice, where the study of historical sculpture informed contemporary artistic development. The artist's signature and the date are visible at the bottom, alongside a reference to the original sculptor, Giambologna, and the location of the piece.