Artwork
Mercury Presiding Over the Visual and Rhetoric Arts
Mercury Presiding Over the Visual and Rhetoric Arts is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jan Pietersz Saenredam. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Mercury Presiding Over the Visual and Rhetoric Arts is an engraving on laid paper created by Jan Pietersz. Saenredam in 1596.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Mercury, the Roman god of communication, overseeing figures representing visual and rhetorical arts. The scene is allegorical, drawing on classical mythology to convey Mercury's role in guiding creativity, as hinted at by the Latin text at the bottom.
Technique & Style
The work is an example of Northern Mannerism, executed in engraving on laid paper. Saenredam's technique is characterized by detailed rendering of figures and background, including a city skyline and tiny figures.
History & Provenance
The engraving is part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington. Created in 1596, it reflects Saenredam's work as a Dutch painter, printmaker, and cartographer.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Pieterszoon (abbr. Pietersz.) Saenredam (c. 1565 – 6 April 1607) was a Dutch Northern Mannerist painter, printmaker in engraving, and cartographer, and father of the painter of church interiors, Pieter Jansz…
Jupiter Presiding Over the Liberal Arts
Apollo Presiding Over the Arts of Government
Mars Presiding Over the Arts of War
Bacchus Seated on a Barrel between Amor and Music
Saturn Presiding Over Agriculture
Amphion and Zethus Tying Dirce to a Wild Bull
Artist Painting a Nude Woman: Allegory of Visual Perception
Passion Set: Christ Crowned with Thorns
Judgment of Paris
Justice and Prudence
Bacchus in a Niche