The present figures, probably of late nineteenth century French origin, are after, and in the case of Fortune a variation on, the celebrated models by Giambologna (d.1608). Mercury, shown naked and in flight, is here the divine messenger carrying out Jupiter's behests. His upward gaze and gesture with his right hand allude to the higher power by which he is sent. In choosing the motif of a figure in flight Giambologna broke with the traditional laws which governed his art and his Mercury was to influence the development of sculpture into the Baroque period and beyond; Documents suggest that Fortune was conceived by Giambologna as a pair to his Mercury. Original versions show the goddess with a large veil billowing above her head and another with just the ends of the veil held in her hands. She may also be shown holding a flower-laden cornucopia. Here, the pose of Fortune has been exaggerated, her left leg raised much higher than in the original by Giambologna. Presumably this was so that she should greater complement the figure of Mercury. She is also shown holding her billowing veil, a reminder of the inconstancy of the wind, and standing on a wheel, also denoting instability.