Group of Four Boys 

This painting of four boys amidst a classical landscape, was created by Anthony van Dyck in the 17th century. Notice the bust of Mercury. The Roman god of commerce, communication, and boundaries. Mercury often appears in art as a symbol of eloquence and agility. Van Dyck subtly infuses the image with notions of transition, intellectual pursuit, and the fleeting nature of youth, echoing through Renaissance art where the image of Mercury appears alongside young men ready to embark on new stages in their lives. The god's presence here suggests a symbolic backdrop to the boys' burgeoning identities, reminiscent of ancient sculpture, where busts of gods were placed in gardens as protectors of sacred spaces. This cultural memory invites the viewer to consider not only the individual portraits but also the collective aspirations and hopes projected onto these young figures, caught in a moment of youthful reflection. The image evokes the psychological impact of seeing youth and potential.