Mercurius en Cupido op een wolk c. 1700 - 1750

"Mercurius en Cupido op een wolk" is a 18th-century etching by Andries van (Sr.) Buysen depicting the Roman god Mercury, or Hermes, and the god of love, Cupid, on a cloud. In this artwork, Mercury holds a caduceus, a staff entwined with serpents, while Cupid, a winged cherub, appears to hold a torch. The text at the top of the artwork tells a story of Mercury, Cupid and a stolen book, making the scene a rich interpretation of classical mythology, a popular theme in art during this period. This print is part of a larger series of etchings. The Rijksmuseum holds this small but detailed artwork, a fine example of the artistic style of its era.