Pallas Athena standing on a globe, holding a spear in her left hand and her shield in her right 1515 - 1525

This engraving shows Pallas Athena standing on a globe, holding a spear and shield. Images such as these were popular across Europe from the 16th century onwards. Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, was often depicted in art to represent virtues such as courage, reason, and strategic thinking. Standing atop a globe, she symbolizes not only military strength but also knowledge and dominion. The spear and shield are visual codes for her warrior status, while her placement on the globe suggests a broader claim to intellectual and political authority. The fashion for classical imagery was driven by institutions such as the academy, which encouraged artists to reflect on examples from antiquity, although this was often put in the service of contemporary political projects. Understanding the cultural and institutional histories helps us see how artists like this anonymous engraver engaged with broader social and political ideals. Further research into the artist's background and the print's original context can reveal much about its intended audience and the messages it sought to convey.