Mercure [Mercury]

Mallet’s artistic representation of Mercury.

This interesting print showing Mercury in the night sky was created by Alain Manesson Mallet for publication in his Description de L’Univers. Artistic license was certainly used, as contemporary knowledge of the planet was limited.

The foreground shows a fantastic scene that represents the characteristics of the Roman god after which the planet was named. As one of the original Dii Consentes (Greek Olympians), Mercury was the deity responsible for commerce, travel, luck, and thievery. Three figures in front, one of which appears to be bearing a dagger, are also reflective of the theme.