About this artwork

This painting illustrates a story in the Metamorphoses, an epic poem by the ancient Roman writer Ovid. Battus watched Mercury hiding stolen cattle but promised to keep the god’s secret. However, Mercury – god of commerce as well as thieves – was suspicious. He returned in disguise to bribe the old man to reveal the herd’s whereabouts, which he duly did. For this indiscretion, Mercury turned Battus into a rock. The stone statue here refers to this imminent punishment.

Updated January 2022

  • artist:
    Jacob Pynas (1592/93 - after 1650) Dutch
  • title:
    Landscape with Mercury and Battus
  • date created:
    Dated 1637
  • materials:
    Oil on panel
  • measurements:
    40.00 x 26.50 cm; Framed: 42.80 x 55.60 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased by the Patrons of the National Galleries of Scotland 2002
  • accession number:
    NG 2744
  • gallery:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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Jacob Pynas

Jacob Pynas