Mercurius en Cupido op een wolk c. 1700 - 1750

This is an engraving depicting Mercurius and Cupido on a wolk by Andries van Buysen. Note the caduceus that Mercurius bears, a symbol of balance and negotiation, its twin snakes entwined, a form that echoes through time from ancient Greece to modern medicine. Beside him, Cupid, winged and ready, embodies desire. They float on a cloud, suggesting a realm beyond mortal reach, a space where gods and symbols converse. Consider the recurrence of entwined serpents in diverse cultures, from the staff of Asclepius to the kundalini of Hindu tradition, each instance a variation on the theme of duality and healing. This image resonates with our collective memory, a subconscious recognition of archetypes that transcend temporal boundaries. The interplay between divine intellect and primordial desire speaks to the human condition, a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Observe the non-linear progression of this symbol, how it has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.