Mercurius en een nar c. 1700 - 1720

Andries van Buysen created this print, "Mercurius en een nar," using etching techniques. This piece invites us to consider the intersection of commerce, folly, and societal order. At the top, Mercurius, the Roman god of commerce and communication, hovers above a scene of earthly chaos. His presence signals a society increasingly driven by trade and mercantile values. Beneath him, a jester holds a bell, symbolizing foolishness and the inversion of social norms. Look at the figures at the bottom. They represent the common people, caught in a state of disarray and overindulgence. Their dishevelment and lack of awareness could be seen as a commentary on the potential consequences of unchecked commercialism and moral decay. Van Buysen's etching captures a society grappling with the shifting values of the time. It’s a study of how the pursuit of wealth and material gain can lead to social imbalance, prompting us to question the true cost of progress.