Plate 20: Pallas Athena holding a shield with Medusa's head in her right hand and a lance in her left hand, from a series of mythological gods and goddesses 1526

Editor: We’re looking at Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio's engraving from 1526, “Pallas Athena holding a shield with Medusa's head..." quite a mouthful! She seems confident, powerful even, but the starkness of the lines makes the whole image feel a bit severe. What do you see in this piece, beyond the classical depiction? Curator: Well, for starters, this Athena *is* a boss, isn't she? Think about the layers – it's not just classical, it’s a *Renaissance* take on classical. Caraglio isn’t just copying; he's channeling. The crisp lines? They're almost like she’s etched into our minds, a permanent idea of female power and intellect… but there’s something else. See how she holds the Medusa shield? What do you make of it? Editor: It’s unsettling, really. Medusa was a victim, transformed into a monster. So, Athena wielding that image…is it victory, or a kind of appropriation? Curator: Precisely! That tension, that's the interesting part! Maybe it shows a dark aspect of Athena, even hints that victory comes at a price. Do you think Caraglio is asking *us* about the morality of it? Editor: I do. It makes you consider who the real monsters are in these stories, doesn't it? And whether power always corrupts, even in the hands of a goddess. Curator: Exactly! These old stories never cease to reflect back what it means to be human. Editor: I’ll never look at Athena the same way again. Curator: My pleasure! It seems like she's revealing new facets as we consider her legacy.