Hermes: From Myth to Art

Article by Flora

In Greek mythology, Hermes is the messenger of gods, the god that is closest to human and daily life. Hermes delivers messages from Gods to mortals, and he frequently appears to humans to give them a helping hand. In Ancient Greece, Hermes was revered as the patron of teachers, writing, and oration. He was also a patron of trade, all the comings and goings of daily life. He also brought people together, ruled social gatherings, and helped lovers meet at the end. He was the guard of the ways, paths, and trade routes.

Hermes wore winged sandals, which enabled him to travel as fast as the winds. One of the most important points we must keep in mind is that Hermes was a psychopomp, meaning that he could travel between worlds: He was in Olympus, feasting with the delightful Gods; he was in the marketplace in the world of humans, and also he could enter and exit Hades, the Realm of the Dead. He was also asked for help in the fields by the farmers. In Rome, his name was Mercury.

Hermes’s realm and abilities were great in the ancient world, as was his place in art. In Ancient Greece, he was one of the most frequently painted figures:

Hermes

Here, we see a bearded Hermes. Hermes is usually depicted as a youth, yet sometimes, when his wisdom is emphasized, he can be pictured as an adult man with a mighty beard.

Hermes finds his rightful place in classical and modern art. Souls on the Banks of Acheron (1898) by Adolf Hirémy-Hirschl is a profound example:

Adolf Hiremy Hirschl, Die Seelen des Acheron



In this painting, Hermes is in Hades. The dark and cold setting gives us the impression that this place is not for life but the Realm of the Dead. The souls in Hades are begging him to take them back to life. Yet, Hermes cannot help them, for he does not decide on life and death; he only brings messages.

In his Metamorphoses, Ovid tells us of a beautiful tale named “Baucis and Philemon”. Legend says that one day, Zeus and Hermes left Olympus and took the form of poor peasants. They visited humans’ houses, asking for bread and a nightly stay. Nobody cared about them, and they were refused; doors were shut in their faces, and humanity had almost rejected its own gods… Until they arrived at a poor house and knocked on the door. This was the house of an old couple who lovingly welcomed the strangers and shared their humble morsel with them. Being so pleased with Baucis and Philemon, Zeus and Hermes blessed them with eternal love and life: transforming them into intertwining oak and linden trees.

This story is so beautiful that more than one artist studied it, depicting the moment the Gods revealed their true identities.

Jupiter and Mercury at Philemon and Baucis (1630 – 32) is made by Rubens, picturing the gods Jupiter (Zeus) and Mercury (Hermes) dining with the old couple in their house. Even though the food already present in their kitchen was not much, when they began to dine with the gods, the plates and the wine pitcher filled themselves. In Rubens’ painting, we witness the moment when Philemon wants to catch the goose to cook, but the goose runs at Zeus’ lap. We can also see Zeus’ hand reaching for the goose, and he is about to give the couple a warning:


Workshop of Peter Paul Rubens: Jupiter and ercury at Philemon and Baucis

Jacob van Oost also painted the very same scene:

Jacob van Oost: Mercury and Jupiter in the House of Philemon and Baucis

Another great master, Rembrandt, did not exclude this beautiful scene in his gallery:

Rembrandt van Rijn: Philemon and Baucis

The silent power in acceptance and sharing must have moved the hearts of artists and their supporters so strongly that they loved studying this scene.

So many beautiful works of art feature Hermes, Messenger of the Gods. Studying mythology is an effort to understand ourselves, our psyche, and those who came before us. These stories exist beyond time, and we all can find parts of ourselves in them, just as Rubens and Rembrandt did.

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