Public domain

Mercury contemplates Trade and Shipping

Gerard de Lairesse · 1670 · etching; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

From the air, Mercury with a trumpet in his hands beholds the personified Trade (caduceus) and Shipping (sailing ship in miniature). A putto brings Trade a horn filled with coins; behind this, a second putto views packaged goods. The personified shipping stands behind Trade and has placed a hand on her shoulder. Behind this group of figures stands on a high pedestal a statue of Peace (olive branch), flanked by an angel blowing a trumpet. To the right lies in the foreground a large globe; behind this, a view of a harbor.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description

Subjects

print 'Pace' (Ripa)allegory of trade 'Navigatione' (Ripa)

Credit lineMercurius aanschouwt de Handel en Scheepvaart. 1670. Gerard de Lairesse. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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