Mercurius strooit boeken over de aarde 1683 - 1733

This etching by Dutch artist Bernard Picart, titled "Mercurius strooit boeken over de aarde" (Mercury scatters books over the earth), depicts the Roman messenger god Mercury, winged and holding a caduceus, scattering books over the world. Created between 1683 and 1733, the work showcases a Baroque style with intricate details and a dynamic composition. The image embodies the idea of the dissemination of knowledge and the power of the written word, a concept central to the Enlightenment era. This small-scale print, housed in the Rijksmuseum, demonstrates Picart's mastery of engraving techniques and his contribution to the artistic dialogue of his time.