Titelpagina voor de Europische Mercurius van 1732 1732

Editor: This is the title page for the Europische Mercurius of 1732, a Dutch engraving from the Baroque period. It has this fascinating mix of earthly and celestial figures. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's a dense collection of symbols! Consider Mercury, poised between war and prosperity. Do you see him? The Caduceus in his hand? His placement directly over the written history and battleground is critical, indicating control and mediation, especially for commercial interests of the time. Editor: Yes, I see him, like a divine referee almost. And what about the woman with the ox? Curator: She’s a depiction of Europe, seated on the Ox of plenty with olive branches in her hair. See how she's juxtaposed with Mercury? It tells us about the relationship between Europe’s abundance and commercial activity – a visual representation of wealth and its relation to communication, knowledge and global power. And look at the cherubs… Editor: The ones holding the sign? Curator: Exactly! What do they represent for you, culturally? Aren’t they also signifiers, reinforcing the timelessness and divinely sanctioned nature of the ‘Mercurius’? Editor: That's so interesting! I hadn't thought about it that way, more like pretty decorations. Thanks, I am now looking at how visual imagery is rooted in history, culture, and ideas of power!