Johann Heiss Memmingen 1640 - 1704 Augsburg

Marseilles, art market, 1981, where bought by the present owner in the early 1980s.

P. Königfeld, Der Maler Johann Heiss, Weißenhorn 2001, p. 295, no. B23, reproduced fig. 54.

Another version of this composition, unsigned and with differences, is in the Schönborn collection at Pommersfelden (see Königfeld under Literature, no. B45, reproduced in colour fig. 68).  Mercury Mercatura, God of Commerce, stands behind a female figure with attributes of several of the Muses.  A seated female figure with scales makes entries in a ledger; another reads, and a man brings more books.  All around are emblems of wealth, including packing cases opened by putti.  Such an allegory might lend itself to a successful merchant who wished to be a patron of the Arts, and to see a balance between art and commerce.