Standbeeld van Mercurius 1640

This is Reinier van Persijn's engraving of the statue of Mercury. The god is readily identifiable by his caduceus, winged petasos, and purse, all symbols that were already old when the artist put burin to plate. The caduceus, entwined with serpents, and the purse, emblems of trade, reflect Mercury's role as a messenger and patron of commerce, but it is the winged petasos, the symbol of speed and flight, that perhaps most powerfully captures our imagination. Consider how the image of winged figures has persisted and evolved. From the winged gods and goddesses of antiquity to the angels of Christianity and the Valkyries of Norse mythology, these figures embody humanity's age-old dream of transcending earthly limitations. The very act of depicting wings, regardless of the context, taps into a deep-seated psychological desire for freedom, escape, and connection to higher realms, a potent and enduring symbol of human aspiration. These symbols are not static; they are constantly in flux, adapting to new cultural contexts and absorbing new layers of meaning.