Mercury and his children

During the 15th century, various engraved and painted series arose concerning the planets and their 'children': the people on earth, who, it was thought, were subject to the influence of the stars and planets. The children of Mercury are intelligent, ingenious, and mathematically inclined: they are merchants and scholars. In the 16th century, painters and sculptors were also counted among the children of Mercury, to indicate that they too possess these qualities.