Minerva, goddess of wisdom, reclines comfortably on her throne. Her right shoulder is turned slightly back; she would originally have been holding a lance. The book on her arm symbolises wisdom and knowledge. The lost lance, the armour and the helmet with its cock, refer to her other function: goddess of war. Her Roman-like armour is decorated with floral motifs and depicted on Minerva's breastplate is the snake-haired head of Medusa, one of the goddess's characteristic symbols. Minerva looks down to her left, to Cupid, the god of love, standing next to her.
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