Vignet met Minerva en Amor 1728

Bernard Picart created this print, Vignet met Minerva en Amor, in 1718. In this vignette, Picart presents Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, arts, trade, and strategy. The piece reflects the intellectual and cultural values of the Enlightenment. The era placed great emphasis on reason and knowledge, central to Minerva’s representation. Note how Minerva is adorned with symbols of authority and intellect, such as the helmet, spear, and book. She’s literally trampling death. It seems that the artist suggests knowledge and wisdom can overcome mortality itself. Flanking her we see Cupid, the god of love, and putti, all figures that underscore the breadth of human intellect and the value of the classical world. This vignette suggests that the pursuit of knowledge and understanding is an essential and life-affirming endeavor. As you consider this image, think about the role of knowledge and intellect. What does it mean to pursue them and what can they help us overcome?