Artwork Information

William Theed studied in Rome under Bertel Thorvaldsen and made a series of copies of important sculptures in Roman collections, including this version of the Minerva Giustiniani. The work was first recorded in the Giustiniani collection in an engraving of 1631. After she helped Perseus to decapitate the Gorgon Medusa, Minerva (Greek Athena) wore the head, its hair alive with snakes, to petrify her enemies. Conversely, the more benevolent snakes that fringe Minerva's garment represent her role as the guardian of olive groves.