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

Francesco del Cossa painted this fresco as part of a series in the Palazzo Schifanoia, located in Ferrara. During the Renaissance, art was commissioned by wealthy patrons to convey particular ideas, and in this detail of the Allegory of March we can see how Cossa reflects the values of the ruling Este family through his depiction of Minerva. The goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare is shown here as a figure of grace and intellect, presiding over a scene filled with symbolic elements. The prominence of Minerva, often associated with intellectual pursuits and the arts, suggests a culture that values these virtues. The traditional representation of powerful women through mythological figures allowed artists to explore themes of female influence within a patriarchal society, and this intersection of mythology and societal values invites us to reflect on the roles women were allowed to occupy. The serene, idealized rendering of Minerva can still touch on contemporary questions about power, gender, and the enduring relevance of classical narratives.