1635
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Allegorical Figure is a 1635 by Bernardo Strozzi, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
A woman in a loose robe looks up, her hand resting on a helmet. She holds a book, and a small owl perches on her shoulder. This is Minerva, the Roman goddess of war and wisdom. Strozzi sketched her as a study for a larger painting—her armor set aside, lost in thought. The owl, her symbol, hints at knowledge. It’s rare to see her this quiet, almost human. To see how Strozzi used light and shadow in his finished works, look up *chiaroscuro*.
The Genoese painter Bernardo Strozzi drew this female figure in preparation for one of his major oil paintings, also in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art (1929.133). Recent scholarship has convincingly identified the subject as Minerva. The Roman goddess of war has put aside her armor for more contemplative pursuits; her upward gaze—as if seeking inspiration—recalls her other associations with wisdom, eloquence, and the arts. The figure is one of a number of single female figures associated with intellectual and artistic pursuits made by Strozzi in the 1630s when he lived and…
Drawings by Bernardo Strozzi are exceedingly scarce, especially full worked-up preparatory drawings such as this study for Minerva.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Bernardo Strozzi, named il Cappuccino and il Prete Genovese (c. 1581 – 2 August 1644), was an Italian Baroque artist who was a painter and engraver. A canvas and fresco artist, his wide subject range included history,…
See the richer artist page
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