About this artwork

Il Contento [Contentment] illustrates an episode in the Spanish picaresque novel Guzmán de Alfarache, published by Mateo Alemán in Madrid in 1599 and issued in an Italian version in 1606. In the story, the people on Earth worshipped the god Contento (god of contentment and happiness) more than any other. Jealous of this, Jupiter sent Mercury to abduct Contento and replace him with his twin brother Discontento. Elsheimer was the first artist ever to depict this story, but he deviated from the novel by turning Contento into a female goddess. On the left, Jupiter hovers in mid-air while directing Mercury, who is seen wearing his distinctive winged hat and pulling Contento above the devoted crowd. In the background, people enjoy a variety of sports and games, unaware of their imminent ‘discontentment’.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    Adam Elsheimer (1578 - 1610) German
  • title:
    Il Contento [Contentment]
  • date created:
    About 1607
  • materials:
    Oil on copper
  • measurements:
    30.00 x 42.00 cm; Framed: 45.70 x 57.80 x 3.30 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Accepted by HM Government in lieu of inheritance tax and allocated to the National Gallery of Scotland, 1970
  • accession number:
    NG 2312
  • gallery:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

Adam Elsheimer

Adam Elsheimer