Thordwaldsen was one of the most crucial neoclassical artists of his time. He worked for most of his life in Rome. Mercury, son of Jupiter and Maia, was the emissary of the gods. He is usually represented with winged sandals (teleria) and a winged cap (petasus). Here, Mercury helps Jupiter free his lover Lo, who was being watched by the monster Argus. Argus' body was protected by a thousand eyes, some of which were always open. Mercury told long disinterested stories and played his bagpipes until Argus fell so sound asleep that he closed all his eyes. Mercury killed him, freeing Io. Zeus, a Greek god, was married to Hera; however, he ran into Io. Zeus had transformed Io into a beautiful white bovine to hide his true identity from his wife Hera. He found Zeus next to the white helper, who claimed to have discovered the newborn cow. Hera knew that Zeus had lied to her, but she called his bluff and asked for the cow as a gift. Feeling reluctant to do so, Zeus gave Io to Hera as a gift intentionally so that Hera would suspect something if he didn't. Hera hired Argus to protect the aide. He had one hundred eyes and could sleep while always leaving some open, making him the ideal guardian. Unable to resist Io's anguish, Zeus called upon Hermes, the messenger of the gods, and instructed him to find a way to kill Argus and free Io. Hermes was extremely intelligent, revealing all his divine wonder; he went to Argos because it was a pleasant country. Hermes creates a reed flute as a weapon of seduction and uses it to attract Argus' attention. Argus found the music very pleasant and invited Hermes to sit and play beside him. The music didn't work as Hermes hoped. Hermes stopped playing and began to speak... middle of paper... love as a matter of courtship and chivalry as much as a matter of fractious passion. This passion is often of those who desire to live as a virgin, free from all men, but are persecuted and/or raped by God. Mercury is truly the savage in this story, it's not even a fair fight. Jupiter had buried his metaphorical sword in Io, but Mercury's act turns sex into aggression and hostility; le petit mort is subsumed by le Grant. The Museum of Fine Arts is a small but excellent museum. I will definitely go back. Temporary exhibitions are always interesting. The teachers are very good. Currently a great little impressionist collection and a southwestern collection, but that changes. The building and gardens are part of an incredible experience. Once inside you can choose to explore on your own with a free recorded guided tour or with a docent. It's really beautiful and in a great location.