The exhibition reunites the eight tapestries that comprise the only known example of this set. They were woven in the second half of the 16th century with large amounts of gold and silver thread in order to emphasise the sense of relief and the luminosity and splendour of the eight panels. The first tapestry in the series includes the date of 1570.

In addition to being a symbol of wealth and power, the enormous cost of such a commission makes it possible to describe this series as nothing less than a jewel, in the sense of being both a great work of art and a costly treasure. The high value placed on the series in the inventories of its original owners, the dukes of Lerma, and again in those of the Medinaceli family, to whom it passed by inheritance in 1673, confirm this. The series remained together in the Casa Medinaceli until it was broken up in 1909.

The intensity and brilliance of the colouring, the richness and abundance of the gold and silver thread, the classical and Renaissance style of the scenes, rigorous use of geometrical perspective, rich, elaborate ornamentation, Flemish emphasis on detail in the accessories and landscape, and the humanistic treatment of both the male and female figures all make The Wedding of Mercury one of the most beautiful tapestry series of the entire 16th century, only comparable with tapestries from the royal Habsburg collection.

Most of the panels underwent conservation treatment prior to the exhibition with the aim of displaying them in the finest condition possible. In some cases this work was undertaken at the Fundación Real Fábrica de Tapices, Madrid, under the direction of Ana Schöbel, head of the Fundación’s Textile Conservation Studio, and supervised by the Museo del Prado’s Restoration Department.