02 Works, The Art of War, Bernardo Strozzi’s Allegorical Figure, Minerva, with footnotes

During the 1630s, Strozzi painted a number of female figures representing various intellectual and artistic pursuits, reflecting the appeal of such allegories among learned patrons in northern Italy. Recent scholarship has convincingly identified the subject of this painting as Minerva. The Roman goddess of war has put aside her armor for more contemplative pursuits; her upward gaze — as if seeking inspiration — recalls her other associations with wisdom, eloquence, and the arts. More on this painting

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