Cybele, Juno en Minerva 1632 - 1693

Francois de Poilly’s engraving presents us with Cybele, Juno, and Minerva, goddesses laden with symbolic weight. Here, the lion at Cybele’s feet, a primordial symbol of untamed nature, embodies her dominion over the wild. This echoes through ancient depictions of the Magna Mater. Consider the lilies held aloft by the cherubic figure: a symbol of purity and renewal. Their presence gestures towards the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. We find parallels to this in countless votive offerings across cultures. The dove, a universal symbol of peace, extends its wing towards Minerva. This gesture evokes a deeper, perhaps subconscious, yearning for harmony and divine favor. Throughout history, it has been used as an allegory of the soul. These motifs are not static; they are vessels carrying the emotional currents of humanity. The interplay of these symbols, rooted in the collective unconscious, invites viewers into an unending cycle of reinterpretation and emotional engagement.