Mercury

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a muscular man with wings on his hat, holding a staff twisted into a snake. He’s stepping on three small, winged babies while carrying a bag of coins. The ground looks rocky, and there’s a tiny figure hiding in plants at the bottom left. The name *Mercury* is written above him—he’s a Roman god linked to trade, travel, and thieves. The tiny figures underfoot might symbolize mischief or the chaos he controls. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Beham carved these sharp lines into metal.