On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01677
- Author
- Rubens, Peter Paul (Flemish)
- Title
- Mercury
- Chronology
- 1636-1638
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 180 cm x 69 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
Mercury, the son of Jupiter and
Maya, bears his characteristic
attributes as the gods' messenger :
a winged hat and shoes, as well as
the caduceus, a hazel wand with two
serpents wound around it, which
Apollo gave him as a symbol of
agreement and reconciliation.
The god's anatomy and the use of
paint give this figure a sculptural
appearance, showing Rubens capacity
to depict on canvas some of the
models of classical statuary he
studied in Italy.
This work was painted for the Torre
de la Parada, a small royal palace
near Madrid, along with other
mythological paintings also at the
Prado Museum.
Location on the map
