Allegory of March – Triumph of Minerva and Sign of Aries. Frescos in Palazzo Schifanoia (detail) 1470

Editor: So, this detail is from Francesco del Cossa's "Allegory of March," a fresco from around 1470, originally in the Palazzo Schifanoia. I find the overall composition to be quite unique, there's a dreamlike quality to the scene, and it's hard to believe this was meant to signal a political agenda. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What immediately strikes me is the painting’s existence within a specific cultural and social matrix. Palazzo Schifanoia itself was a place of leisure for the Este court in Ferrara. It functioned as an escape, a stage for displays of wealth, power, and intellectual prowess. Does knowing the frescoes decorated a pleasure palace change your initial reaction? Editor: Definitely. I suppose that explains the allegorical nature of the scenes portrayed and the relaxed ambiance they create. Does the “Triumph of Minerva and the Sign of Aries” have anything to do with power displays in the Este court? Curator: Absolutely. Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, symbolizes enlightened rule. Consider her positioning, likely on a chariot, within the larger composition – how does she visually assert the authority of the Estes and their control of society? Also, let’s talk about this cute monkey. How does it tie with the general allegory? Editor: Okay, it is true the goddes seems imposing in her attire. The monkey… maybe represents the baser instincts subdued by wise leadership? What else? Curator: Indeed. And I find interesting that these frescoes aimed to legitimize their power through mythological and astrological imagery, blending classical knowledge with contemporary rulership. Editor: This gives the monkey a socio-historical reading I didn't have at first sight. Thinking about art within a political framework helps clarify it. Curator: Precisely. Context enriches our understanding and transforms a mere aesthetic experience into a reflection on power, knowledge, and the very fabric of society.