Beeld van een zittende, sandalen bindende Mercurius 1775

Jordanus Hoorn created this drawing of a seated Mercury binding his sandals with chalk on paper. Mercury, or Hermes in Greek, is easily identified by his winged helmet, a symbol deeply rooted in classical antiquity. This motif of the winged messenger appears throughout history, carrying associations of swiftness and communication. We see echoes of it even in modern logos, where wings symbolize speed and efficiency, far removed from the god's original divine role. The act of binding sandals is interesting: it suggests preparation for a journey, a pause before action. Consider the complex psychological weight carried in this image – the anticipation, the readiness – emotions that are not bound by time. In the Renaissance, the rediscovery of classical motifs like Mercury was no mere imitation, but a profound re-engagement with ancient ideas, filtered through the lens of a new era. Just like the winged helmet, the act of pausing, preparing, and setting forth continues its cyclical journey, reappearing in various forms across history.