Philemon and Baucis Hosting Jupiter and Mercury

This is one of the distinctive works, which in Hoser’s collection represent the Flemish 17th century art production. The subject is the visit of gods Jupiter and Mercury to the poor household of an old couple of Philemon and Baucis, who despite their poverty reived the guests warmly and were recompensed by the gods’ intervention saving them from sure doom (Ovid, Metamorphoses, VIII, 621-696). The author represented the contradicting characters of the gods and the old couple, and accentuated the amazing encounter with a distinct use of light.