Minerva Sending Away Mars from Peace and Prosperity
Dublin Core
Title
Minerva Sending Away Mars from Peace and Prosperity
Description
Painted by Jacopo Tintoretto for Doge Priuli, "Minerva Sending Away Mars from Peace and Prosperity" was created in 1576 and is located in the Room dell'Anticollegio. This painting is part of four paintings in a series by Tintoretto that additionally includes "Bacchus, Venus, and Ariadne", "Vulcan's Forge", and "Mercury and the Graces", and is meant to celebrate and draw attention to the prestigious government of Doge Gerolamo Priuli. Jacopo Tintoretto's art is known for its dramatic lighting and animation between characters interacting. Influenced by Titian's use of color, Tintoretto uses bright and dark colors to contrast moods, personalities, and more.
In this painting, Minerva can be seen shielding Peace and Prosperity from Mars. Minerva is portrayed in light hues, with a halo-like aura around her, contrasted severely against Mars, who is dressed in dark armor and appears agitated. This painting signifies Minerva, the Virgin, as the protector of Venice and the serenity of the city, sending Mars, who signifies battle, far away from her guarded nation. In the left of the image, Peace can be seen holding Minerva's arm, while Prosperity's head pokes out in the corner. Both Peace and Prosperity are surrounded by the white glowing hue, and appear healthy and well, signifying Venice's thriving nature under Doge Priuli's rule.
Tintoretto's original four canvases in this collection were created for Atrio Quadrato of the Doge's Palace, and meant to accompany Tintoretto's portrait of Doge Priuli. In Atrio Quadrato, the paintings would have been met with reverence from all foreign leaders and ambassadors who came to the palace. These paintings were eventually moved to the Sala dell'Anticollegio, where they hang today.
In this painting, Minerva can be seen shielding Peace and Prosperity from Mars. Minerva is portrayed in light hues, with a halo-like aura around her, contrasted severely against Mars, who is dressed in dark armor and appears agitated. This painting signifies Minerva, the Virgin, as the protector of Venice and the serenity of the city, sending Mars, who signifies battle, far away from her guarded nation. In the left of the image, Peace can be seen holding Minerva's arm, while Prosperity's head pokes out in the corner. Both Peace and Prosperity are surrounded by the white glowing hue, and appear healthy and well, signifying Venice's thriving nature under Doge Priuli's rule.
Tintoretto's original four canvases in this collection were created for Atrio Quadrato of the Doge's Palace, and meant to accompany Tintoretto's portrait of Doge Priuli. In Atrio Quadrato, the paintings would have been met with reverence from all foreign leaders and ambassadors who came to the palace. These paintings were eventually moved to the Sala dell'Anticollegio, where they hang today.
Creator
Jacopo Tintoretto
Source
Tintoretto, Jacopo (Venetian painter, 1519-1594). Work: 1576 - 1577, Era: CE, Image: 1967. Minerva Sending Away Mars from Peace and Prosperity, Peace, Harmony and Minerva banishing Mars, general view. painting (visual works). Accessed September 13, 2020. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SS7730878_7730878_10448088
“Save Venice Inc.: Dedicated to Preserving the Artistic Heritage of Venice.” Accessed September 13, 2020. https://www.savevenice.org/project/mercury-and-the-three-graces-the-forge-of-vulcan-minerva-mars-and-peace-bacchus-ariadne-and-venus.
“Venezia - Palazzo Ducale - Tintoretto - Gelatina/ Vetro.” n.d. Www.Archiviodellacomunicazione.It. Accessed September 13, 2020. http://www.archiviodellacomunicazione.it/sicap/Fotografie/91324/?WEB=MuseiVE.
Minerva Sending Away Mars from Peace and Prosperity by TINTORETTO. Accessed September 14, 2020. https://www.wga.hu/html_m/t/tintoret/4a/1antico2.html.
“Save Venice Inc.: Dedicated to Preserving the Artistic Heritage of Venice.” Accessed September 13, 2020. https://www.savevenice.org/project/mercury-and-the-three-graces-the-forge-of-vulcan-minerva-mars-and-peace-bacchus-ariadne-and-venus.
“Venezia - Palazzo Ducale - Tintoretto - Gelatina/ Vetro.” n.d. Www.Archiviodellacomunicazione.It. Accessed September 13, 2020. http://www.archiviodellacomunicazione.it/sicap/Fotografie/91324/?WEB=MuseiVE.
Minerva Sending Away Mars from Peace and Prosperity by TINTORETTO. Accessed September 14, 2020. https://www.wga.hu/html_m/t/tintoret/4a/1antico2.html.
Publisher
Doge Girolamo Priuli
Date
1576-1577
Contributor
Ithika Senthilnathan
Format
Oil on Canvas, 148cm x 168cm
Type
Oil Painting
Coverage
Room dell'Anticollegio, Ducale Palace, Venice, Italy
Citation
Jacopo Tintoretto, “Minerva Sending Away Mars from Peace and Prosperity,” ARTHIST 89S - Visual Culture of Venice - Fall 2020, accessed October 22, 2026, https://venice.dahvc.org/fall-2020/items/show/29.