Minerva op een rots gezeten met schietdoel in haar hand, aan de voet van de rots wijzende en aandachtige vrouwen en mannen 1655 - 1661

This engraving titled 'Minerva op een rots gezeten met schietdoel in haar hand, aan de voet van de rots wijzende en aandachtige vrouwen en mannen' was created by Guillaume Vallet, who lived between 1632 and 1704. Vallet’s artistic choices offer insight into the cultural and intellectual milieu of his time. Here Minerva is seated on a rock, holding a target, while a crowd of men and women look on attentively. The goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare, and the arts symbolizes more than just military prowess. In the 17th century, during the rise of powerful centralized states in Europe, the representation of Minerva also implicitly served as an allegory for the virtues of leadership, justice, and order that rulers aspired to embody. The presence of both men and women in the crowd can be seen to represent the inclusion of all social groups under Minerva’s wisdom. The work also brings to the fore issues of power, knowledge, and gender roles within society. Reflecting on this image, one can imagine the emotional impact it had on viewers who were attempting to find a balance between classical ideals and the realities of contemporary society.