Mercury and Herse

Ovid (Met. 2:708-832) tells how three sisters, returning from the festival of Minerva and carrying her sacred baskets on their heads, were espied by Mercury who immediately fell in love with the most beautiful of them, Herse. Another of the sisters, Aglauros, was consumed with envy, and tried to prevent Mercury entering Herse’s chamber when he came to her one night. He touched Aglauros with his wand and she turned to black stone, the colour of her thoughts.

This painting depicts the scene when the maidens are walking outdoors, Mercury flying above them. In the background is Minerva’s temple. The small painting was formerly attributed to Bartholomeus Breenbergh, a contemporary of Poelenburgh. Breenbergh’s art resembles that of his peer in many respects and at times the two are difficult to separate.