The Borghese Gallery is an impressive art collection and one of the most important museums in Rome, housing a wide range of artworks from different periods and styles. Its collection includes exquisite sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts from the Renaissance and Baroque eras, as well as ancient mosaics and classical artefacts. Due to the gallery’s strict entry policy, visitors are allowed inside for only two hours at a time, making it challenging to fully appreciate every masterpiece on display. Among the photos from this collection, I came across a 17th-century bust by an unknown artist, depicting the goddess Minerva.

Bust of Minerva, Roman goddess, in the Borghese Gallery, Rome | ミネルヴァの胸像, ローマの女神, ボルゲーゼ美術館, ローマ | 罗马女神密涅瓦半身像, 博尔盖塞美术馆, 罗马 | 로마 여신 미네르바 흉상, 보르게세 미술관, 로마 | Busto de Minerva, diosa romana, en la Galería Borghese, Roma | Buste de Minerve, déesse romaine, à la Galerie Borghèse, Rome | Büste der Minerva, römische Göttin, in der Borghese-Galerie, Rom | Popiersie Minerwy, rzymskiej bogini, w Galerii Borghese w Rzymie

Minerva was a prominent goddess in Roman mythology, often associated with wisdom, strategic warfare, and the arts. She is considered the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Athena, and was venerated as one of the three deities of the Capitoline Triad, alongside Jupiter and Juno. Jupiter was considered the king of the gods and the god of sky and thunder, symbolizing authority and power. Juno was considered the queen of the gods and the goddess of marriage and childbirth, representing the protection of the state. Minerwa was considered the goddess of wisdom, crafts, and warfare, embodying intellect and strategic war. The worship of the Capitoline Triad in the Roman Empire was believed to ensure the stability and prosperity of Rome, with rituals and sacrifices performed regularly in their honor.

Representations of Minerva typically depict her as a majestic figure, wearing a helmet and holding a spear or shield, symbolising her protective and martial attributes. Her image was frequently featured in Roman art and literature as a symbol of intelligence, courage, and skill.