Description
Hollow plaster cast of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, trade, the arts, and strategic warfare. The Romans identified her with the Greek goddess Athena. Although Minerva is often portrayed wearing a helmet, in this sculpture she is seen without a helmet; instead, a narrow band encircles the front top of her head, and her wavy tresses are gathered in the back.
The bust was deposited at the Athenaeum in November of 1814 with several other plaster castings by the sculptor. When moving out of the American Philosophical Society (where the Athenaeum had been renting rooms) and into their own new building in 1847, the Athenaeum for some reason left the bust of Minerva behind. It was finally returned to the Athenaeum in 1961.