Minerva victorious over Ignorance
around 1593 | Bartholomäus Spranger
Minerva, Goddess of the arts and science, is at the centre of the painting. Her uncovered breasts characterise her as “sapientia lactans”, as the nourishing mother of wisdom. She has conquered the donkey-eared ignorance. However, her body posture recalls the resurrected Christ. She triumphs over dark forces and turns into the embodiment of the highest human ideals. The refined colouring and the elegant pose are both features of Rudolfinian courtly art.
Minerva, Goddess of the arts and science, is at the centre of the painting. Her uncovered breasts characterise her as “sapientia lactans”, as the nourishing mother of wisdom. She has conquered the donkey-eared ignorance. However, her body posture recalls the resurrected Christ. She triumphs over dark forces and turns into the embodiment of the highest human ideals. The refined colouring and the elegant pose are both features of Rudolfinian courtly art.
Artist:
Bartholomäus Spranger (1546 Antwerpen - 1611 Prag) DNB
Time:
around 1593
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Netherlandish
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
163 cm × 117 cm
Framed (gallery frame): 180 cm × 133 cm × 6,5 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 1133
Provenance
From the treasury of Rudolf II; 1747/1748 in the Schatzkammer