Minerva c. 1701

This is Jacob Toorenvliet’s drawing of Minerva. She is the Roman goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare, and crafts. The helmet, spear, and shield are not merely accessories but potent symbols, deeply rooted in the classical world. Consider the gorgon head on Minerva's shield. In ancient Greece, this apotropaic symbol of Medusa intended to ward off evil. The image of Medusa has traveled through time, a chilling icon reappearing in Renaissance art and even in modern logos. But the effect is not always the same. A symbol that once inspired pure fear is now perceived as a talisman of empowerment in a changed world. These recurring images are not simply aesthetic choices. They are carriers of memory, echoing through the corridors of time, and resurfacing in diverse cultural contexts. This symbol invites us to meditate on the timeless human fascination with the interplay between protection, terror, and the subconscious.