Mercurius en zijn kinderen PK-P-113.444, BN 953

A large statue of the god Mercury, holding a caduceus and wearing a winged hat, stands on a pedestal above a crowd of artists, scholars, and craftsmen. Above him appear the astrological symbol for Mercury and two roundels representing the zodiac signs Gemini and Virgo. The foreground features men engaged in painting, reading, and intense discussion, illustrating the various arts and sciences governed by the planet.

This engraving is part of a series on the seven planets and illustrates the Renaissance concept of astrological determinism, where celestial bodies dictate human talent and vocation. It reflects the Hermetic and Neoplatonic view of Mercury as the patron of communication, alchemy, and the liberal arts, bridging the gap between the divine and the mundane.