Minerva die auch Pallas genen net würdt · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: Minerva die auch Pallas genen net würdt
Subject: Minerva; Goddesses; Important Women; Famous Women; Weaving; Wisdom; Roman Mythology; Greek Mythology
Period: 1500-1550;
Geographic: Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome
Description: This engraving illustrates Minerva, also known as Pallas, standing on the left side of the engraving suited in armor. She is depicted holding a lance in her left hand and a shield (with a depiction of Medusa on the front) in her right. The name Pallas is engraved behind her head to identify her. Boccaccio explains that Minerva had discovered wool work and weaving. There is a woman on the right side of the engraving shearing a sheep to signify this discovery. The woman standing behind her has fabric in her hand to signify the art of weaving that Minerva had given to the world. The man in the centre of the engraving is depicted with a millstone in his hand, pressing down into a bucket of olives. Minerva had taught the world of men to do this so that they can extract and use oil from the olives. An olive tree stands in the background to further the significance. There is an owl resting on a tree stump next to Minerva, which Boccaccio explains, represents her wisdom.
Image Creator: Joerg Breu (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:18249
Language: ger
Source Name: Ein schöne Cronica oder Hystoribuch von den fürnämlichsten Weybern [A beautiful chronicle or history book of reputable women]
Parent Collection: 1543 Stayner
Image: mta_18249_OBJ.jpg

Media: mta_18249_OBJ.jpg