Minerva 1595 - 1605

Jan Muller created this engraving of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The image presents a powerful female figure, armed and ready for battle, yet simultaneously exposed, challenging the typical representations of women during this time. Minerva's androgynous physique and unidealized body reflect an era grappling with shifting ideals of beauty and power. Her gaze is averted. We ask ourselves if she embodies strength or vulnerability. Her heavy armor and spear are juxtaposed against her long, flowing hair and bare breasts. Through this contrast, Muller confronts viewers with the complexities inherent in the female form. He challenges the traditional expectations of women as passive objects. Muller’s Minerva invites us to question the roles assigned to women in early modern society. This print resonates even now, sparking conversations about gender, power, and representation.