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

This detail from Francesco del Cossa’s fresco cycle, *Allegory of March – Triumph of Minerva and Sign of Aries*, depicts a mounted figure, likely representing the god Mars, symbolizing war and aggression. The dynamic composition and expressive gestures, characteristic of early Renaissance art, are evident in the rider's pose and the rearing horse. The fresco cycle, painted in the Palazzo Schifanoia in Ferrara, Italy, portrays the twelve months of the year through allegorical figures, showcasing the humanist and astronomical interests of the Este family, the palazzo's patrons.