Minerva 1501 - 1580

Giulio Bonasone created this engraving of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, sometime in the 16th century. Here, Minerva stands regally, adorned with a helmet, shield, and spear, symbols of her martial prowess. But these are not merely tools of war; they are embodiments of divine intellect and strategic thinking. The helmet, for instance, is not unique to Minerva. Warriors across cultures, from ancient Greece to medieval Europe, donned helmets for protection, but also as a psychological display of power. The shield, too, has evolved from a simple defence into a canvas of symbolic expression. Consider the recurring motif of the Gorgon Medusa on shields, a symbol designed to terrify and paralyse opponents, tapping into primal fears. These symbols, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, engage us on a subconscious level. As we gaze upon Minerva, we are not merely observing a deity, but also connecting with age-old archetypes of wisdom, protection, and the enduring human fascination with power.