Amor geeft Mercurius de opdracht zijn macht te verkondigen aan het universum 1740

This 1740 etching by Louis Desplaces depicts the Roman god Mercury receiving instructions from Amor, the Roman god of love, to spread the word of his power throughout the universe. The scene is set amidst clouds, with Mercury depicted flying above the clouds, holding a caduceus, a symbol of his authority and power. The artwork is a good example of the Baroque style, with its dramatic use of light and shadow and its emphasis on movement. The scene is highly dynamic, with Amor pointing upwards, Mercury flying swiftly, and the figures of three women looking on. This etching is a good example of how the Renaissance fascination with classical mythology continued into the Baroque era.