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

This fresco, “Allegory of March – Triumph of Minerva and Sign of Aries” (c.1470) by Francesco del Cossa, is one of a series of 11 depicting the months of the year. It captures the vibrant, symbolic style of early Renaissance art. The central figures are Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, and a representation of the Zodiac sign Aries. The fresco is divided into three registers: the top depicts Minerva’s triumphal procession, the middle register displays the sign of Aries, and the bottom scene is a bustling allegory of March's activities. The fresco's rich detail and masterful use of color and perspective reveal the early Renaissance's growing emphasis on realism and humanism.