Fronton van het Palais du Louvre: "Les Arts et les Sciences" door Pierre Edouard Charrier c. 1855 - 1857

This photograph by Edouard Baldus captures Pierre Edouard Charrier's relief, "The Arts and the Sciences," adorning the Louvre. Dominating the composition is the central figure of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. The helmet atop her head and her stern gaze indicate her association with strategic intelligence. Flanking Minerva, we see putti, cherubic figures symbolizing divine love. They engage with tablets and books, emphasizing the active pursuit of knowledge and the joy of discovery. The recurrence of Minerva throughout history, from ancient Greece to the Roman Empire and into the Renaissance, shows her enduring significance as a symbol of enlightened intellect. These motifs have been passed down through history, shifting in meaning, yet retaining their power to stir our collective memory. The convergence of arts and sciences under the aegis of Minerva is a powerful reminder of our capacity for knowledge and the enduring pursuit of understanding.