Artwork Page for Mercury (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #42)

Details / Information for Mercury (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #42)

Mercury (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #42)

before 1467

Master of the E-Series Tarocchi

(Italian, active 1460s)
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Culture
Italy, Ferrara, 15th century
Medium
engraving
Credit Line
Dudley P. Allen Fund 1924.432.42
Catalogue raisonné
Hind E.I. 42a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “A”, and named Firmaments of the Universe. This series comprises the seven planets from the classical astronomy (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and the three celestial spheres that separate them from the Supreme Entity (Prima Causa) from which everything was originated.

Here, Mercurio (Mercury) is personified as a full-length male figure, in profile to the left, while blowing a flute. Mercury appears as Hermes, the Greek messenger of gods. In his right hand holds up a caduceus, a herald staff at the top of which are two intertwined winged snakes. He also wears a petasos and a pair of talaria, respectively winged hat and shoes. At his feet is a cock—animal sacred to him—and the decapitated full-eyed head of Argo. Mercury was believed to be both the son of Saturn and the brother of Jupiter, and the second in the order of planets.
A vertically oriented print in black ink depicts Mercury, a man with light skin and wavy hair, walking to our left within a braided border. Shaded with fine hash marks and draped in a short, folded tunic, he wears a winged helmet and high boots. He plays a flute while holding a caduceus. A rooster stands on our left, and a severed head lies between his feet. Text below reads "MERCURIO XXXXII."

Mercury (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #42)

before 1467

Master of the E-Series Tarocchi

(Italian, active 1460s)
Italy, Ferrara, 15th century

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