Minerva 1637 - 1692

This engraving, titled Minerva, was created by Cornelis Bloemaert in the 17th century. During this period, there was a resurgence of interest in classical antiquity, which influenced art and culture. Bloemaert, who grew up in a Catholic family during the Reformation, may have been drawn to the stable iconography of the Roman pantheon as it provided a sense of order amidst religious and political upheaval. Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, points toward a male figure, possibly a personification of strength or labor. There is an implicit power dynamic in this exchange, as Minerva directs him. This dynamic reflects the social hierarchies of the time, where knowledge and strategic prowess were often seen as tools for maintaining control. The print is a reminder of how historical and cultural forces shape our understanding of gender, power, and knowledge, while evoking emotional and personal interpretations of strength and wisdom.