Minerva 1576 - 1628

This engraving of Minerva was created by Jan Collaert the Younger in the late 16th or early 17th century. It presents a classical allegory through the visual language of its time. Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare, is depicted nude, a choice that reflects the era's fascination with classical forms while also inviting questions about the politics of representing power and knowledge. Made in the Netherlands, this work participates in a broader European tradition of allegorical prints that circulated widely, shaping cultural and intellectual life. The inclusion of the owl, a symbol of wisdom, and the mask, possibly representing emotional intelligence, enriches the print’s symbolic depth, but how might these symbols be used to either challenge or uphold the established norms of the period? To address this question, one could research the social and intellectual debates surrounding knowledge, gender, and power in the Dutch Golden Age. Such historical context is crucial to understanding this artwork.