Titelpagina voor de Hollandsche Mercurius over het jaar 1681 1682

Romeyn de Hooghe etched this title page for the Hollandsche Mercurius in 1681, laden with symbols of its time. Observe the central figure of Mercury, the Roman messenger god, armed with a helmet. Note his hand gesture, an act of communication or perhaps an offering. This motif echoes through time, reminiscent of ancient Roman reliefs where emperors offer peace or dominion. The figure of Abundance stands beside him, crowned with a caduceus. It is an ancient symbol of commerce and negotiation, and it is not a coincidence that this symbol reappears in modern medicine. Consider how these motifs, rooted in classical antiquity, were consciously revived during the Renaissance and Baroque periods to legitimize power and evoke a sense of historical continuity. These forms surface from our collective memory, shaping our understanding of the world, and engaging our subconscious on a deeper, more emotional level. They are a testament to the cyclical nature of history.