Allegory of March – Triumph of Minerva and Sign of Aries. Frescos in Palazzo Schifanoia (detail) 1470

This fresco, by Francesco del Cossa, is part of a series celebrating each month of the year, painted in the Palazzo Schifanoia, Ferrara, in the 1460s. It shows the triumph of Minerva, goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, combined with the astrological sign of Aries, the ram. This work is full of the symbols and references that were part of courtly life. The Este family who ruled Ferrara, commissioned the frescoes, and their status is reinforced by a scene showing elegant members of the court involved in a variety of refined and cultured pursuits. It is a clear demonstration of humanist values. The frescoes are not just decorative; they are a visual demonstration of the family’s power and wealth. Looking closely, we can begin to understand the complex codes used to communicate status in the court, and the classical allusions that gave the Este legitimacy. Historical records, contemporary letters, and family trees all help us to better understand the social and institutional context that shaped this work of art.