Mercurius

Request to view

This object can be requested via email from the Prints & Drawings Study Room

V&A South Kensington
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level D

Artist/Maker	Pencz, Georg (printmaker) Monogrammist I. B. (Printmaker)
Place of origin	Germany (printed)

This print is from a series by Georg Pencz, an engraver active in Nuremberg in the 16th century. The engravings in the set show figures representing the various planets, accompanied by symbols and signs of the Zodiac. The characters are shown in earthly surroundings, with woods and landscapes behind them.

This print shows Mercury, a male figure, with two small putti in the corner of the image, representing the astrological sign for the twins known as Gemini.

Object details

Categories	Prints Myths & Legends Ornament Prints
Object type	Engraving
Title	Mercurius
Materials and techniques	Engraving Printing Ink Engraving
Brief description	Monogrammist I. B. Mercury, one of seven plates from a suite of the seven planets. German, 1529.
Physical description	Engraving.
Dimensions	To plate mark height: 8.3cm To plate mark width: 4.9cm Cut to height: 4.8cm Cut to width: 17.5cm
Marks and inscriptions	Lettered in the upper left of the plate: 'MERCVRIVS' Lettered on a tablet in the lower right of the plate: 'IB / 1528'
Gallery label	SEVEN PRINTS: THE PLANETS German, 1528, 1529 Engravings by George Pencz (about 1500-50) Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Sun, and the Moon were the planets of the classical world. Here they are shown as gods, with appropriate symbols and signs of the Zodiac. E.199A-G - 1892
Subjects depicted	Astrology (Concept) Deities Zodiac Planets Mercury
Summary	This print is from a series by Georg Pencz, an engraver active in Nuremberg in the 16th century. The engravings in the set show figures representing the various planets, accompanied by symbols and signs of the Zodiac. The characters are shown in earthly surroundings, with woods and landscapes behind them. This print shows Mercury, a male figure, with two small putti in the corner of the image, representing the astrological sign for the twins known as Gemini.
Associated objects	E.199A-1892 (Set) E.199B-1892 (Set) E.199C-1892 (Set) E.199D-1892 (Set) E.199E-1892 (Set) E.199G-1892 (Set)
Bibliographic reference	Robert A. Koh, ed. The Illustrated Bartsch, 16. Early German Masters, Jacob Bink, George Pencz and Heinrich Aldegrever. New York: Abaris Books, 1981, no.16.
Collection	Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number	E.199F-1892

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record created	July 19, 2005
Record URL	https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O114206/mercurius-engraving-pencz-georg/

Download as: JSON IIIF Manifest

Object details

About this object record

You may also like