Mercury 1530 - 1565

This bronze sculpture of Mercury was created by Severo Calzetta da Ravenna during the Italian Renaissance. The figure draws upon classical antiquity, reviving the Greco-Roman aesthetic ideals of beauty and form. As the Roman messenger god, Mercury embodies attributes of speed and communication. Here, he is presented nude, save for his winged helmet and sandals. Yet this idealized form can be seen in a more complex light. Renaissance artists like Severo were often commissioned by wealthy patrons, reflecting the social hierarchy of the time. The male nude, while celebrating classical aesthetics, simultaneously reinforced notions of power and masculinity, thus leaving little space for other representations. Moreover, the sensuousness of the bronze and the intimate scale of the work invites a tactile, personal experience. The sculpture reflects how Renaissance art could be both a celebration of classical ideals and a statement of social and political values.