Minerva and the Muses 1604
pauluswillemszvanvianen
natural stone pattern
possibly oil pastel
handmade artwork painting
fluid art
underpainting
watercolour bleed
watercolour illustration
mixed medium
pencil art
watercolor
"Minerva and the Muses" is a silver relief created in 1604 by the Dutch silversmith Paulus Willemsz. van Vianen. This intricate piece, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts the Roman goddess Minerva and the nine Muses in a wooded setting. The scene is rich in detail, with each Muse depicted engaged in a musical activity. The three-dimensional relief gives the artwork a dynamic quality, showcasing the artist's mastery of silverwork. This piece exemplifies the high-quality craftsmanship and artistic excellence of the Dutch Renaissance.
Comments
Paulus van Vianen often derived the subject of his plaquettes from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, as is the case here. The goddess Minerva visits the Muses because she wishes to see the sacred spring that the winged horse Pegasus caused to gush forth near them with a blow of his hoof.
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