Jupiter and Mercury in the House of Philemon and Baucis

Hendrik Goudt  made only seven engravings, all after paintings of the revered German painter Adam Elsheimer. Nevertheless Goudt was one of the most influential of all early 17th century Dutch printmakers, not least because of his effect on Rembrandt, particularly his darker or night prints; Goudt’s engravings also influenced Italian and French printmakers. The night scenes of Jacques Callot  – including the patterning of cross-hatched lines which created darkness –were adapted from Goudt.

According to Ovid (Metamorphoses), Philemon and Baucis were an old couple who welcomed two travellers to their humble home who had been turned away by other richer households. As curious incidents occurred, e.g., the wine bowl replenished itself, it became apparent that the two travelers were not who they seemed to be, and indeed they turned out to be none other than Jupiter and Mercury. Good things then happened to Philemon and Baucis: they were granted their wish to become priests, their house became a temple and survived a flood.

In the engraving Mercury (wearing his tell-tale winged hat) and Jupiter relax at the right, while Baucis offers them a blanket; Philomon is outside in the dark with a candle, gathering some food. A basket of food (vegetables, fish, eggs) is depicted lower left. A couple of tiny oil lamps illuminate the scene. Although their furnishings are modest, Philomen and Baucis do seem to have a lovely painting on their wall.

At the beginning of the seventeeth century Goudt travelled to Rome, where he lived with Elsheimer from 1607 until just before the latter’s death in 1610. Goudt was both Elsheimer’s pupil and patron. The painting that inspired this engraving is now in the Gemaldegalerie, Dresden. This picture was in Goudt’s possession by 1612, and was one of several paintings by Elsheimer which he took with him from Rome to the Netherlands.

There are two impressions of this print in Te Papa's collection. The other (1869-0001-158) came from Bishop Ditlef Monrad, and was part of the foundation art collection of the Colonial Museum in 1869. This, superior impression from the second state, was donated to the National Art Gallery by Sir John Ilott in 1966.

See: https://harrisschrank.com/jupiter-and-mercury-in-the-house-of-philimon-and-baucis.htm

Dr Mark Stocker             Curator, Historical International Art      February 2017