Minerva 1637 - 1691

This is V. Guigou’s engraving depicting Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. Here, Minerva is surrounded by allegorical figures. One holds a globe while another has a book. These objects are not merely props but symbols deeply rooted in cultural memory. The globe, for instance, echoes the celestial spheres of ancient cosmology, while the book signifies accumulated knowledge and the importance of the written word. Minerva’s helmet is an emblem of her readiness for war and her role as protector of the state. Consider how these motifs recur throughout art history: the book in countless Renaissance portraits symbolizing erudition, or the globe in depictions of explorers and conquerors, representing dominion over the earth. The helmet's design has evolved, too, from classical antiquity to modern military regalia, each iteration carrying its own weight of historical and cultural significance. The symbols and iconography in Guigou’s Minerva do not merely illustrate a classical myth but tap into our collective unconscious, evoking powerful emotions and associations that continue to resonate across time.