The artwork titled “Minerva Dressing” is a creation by Lavinia Fontana, completed in 1613. This oil on canvas painting, part of the Mannerism movement of the Late Renaissance period, belongs to the genres of mythological painting and nude painting (nu). It is currently housed in the Borghese Gallery in Rome, Italy.
The artwork depicts the goddess Minerva in the act of dressing. She stands nude, her back partially turned to the viewer, as she reaches for opulent garments hanging nearby. The composition includes elements of classical mythology, with Minerva’s attire and the presence of a small child-like figure, possibly a representation of Cupid, holding a helmet and other accessories associated with the goddess of wisdom and war. The opulent drapery and background details further enhance the grandeur of the scene, embodying the intricate and stylized qualities of the Mannerism art movement.
