Minerva Instructs the Dauphin 1640

This etching, "Minerva Instructs the Dauphin," was created in 1640 by the French artist Claude Mellan. The piece depicts the Roman goddess Minerva, known for her wisdom and knowledge, instructing the young Louis XIII of France, the Dauphin. The scene, likely inspired by the classical tradition of education and virtue, showcases the Dauphin standing on a stone platform inscribed with "Instruction de Monseigneur le Dauphin," further emphasizing the focus on his education. The artwork showcases Mellan’s skill with line and detail, using a technique known as "single-line etching" to create a detailed and dramatic composition. The presence of various tools and instruments surrounding the Dauphin and Minerva, like the compass and the palette, further accentuates the educational theme and the idea of the arts as a means of knowledge.