Allegory of March – Triumph of Minerva and Sign of Aries. Frescos in Palazzo Schifanoia (detail) 1470

Allegory of March – Triumph of Minerva and Sign of Aries is a fresco painted by Francesco del Cossa, sometime in the 15th century. It offers a glimpse into the cultural and intellectual life of Renaissance Ferrara. The painting merges classical mythology with astrological symbolism to explore themes of wisdom, war, and the cyclical nature of time. Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, takes center stage, reflecting the values of the ruling Este family. The choice to depict her triumph alongside Aries, the zodiac sign associated with March, infuses the allegory with the humanistic interest in classical knowledge that typified the period. This combination of imagery would have resonated deeply in a society where astrology was interwoven with daily life. The fresco invites you to consider the interplay between power, knowledge, and identity in the context of Renaissance courtly life. It compels us to consider the complex layers of meaning embedded in the fresco, and to reflect on the ways in which art can function as a mirror, reflecting and shaping the values of its time.