Chapter 5: Celebrating Learning: Minerva & the Mezzanine
Matt Leifer introduces you to the large mosaic of Minerva, Roman goddess of wisdom in this segment. View the mosaic from the bottom of the stairs as you listen.
Chapter 5: Minerva Mosaic
Transcript
You may have noticed symbols of knowledge here in the Library. The most notable is this vibrant marble mosaic of Minerva, the Roman goddess of learning and wisdom, and protector of civilization. In this image by artist Elihu Vedder, she is portrayed as the Minerva of Peace with her armor partly laid aside.
Look for the small figure of Nike, goddess of victory and achievement. She stands on a globe holding out a laurel wreath for victory and a palm branch for peace. Then, spot the small owl by Minerva’s right knee. The owl of Minerva symbolizes wisdom in Western mythology.
You can see that Minerva is looking at a scroll in her left hand that lists fields of learning including Agriculture, Architecture, Law, Statistics, Botany, and Philosophy. Consider the fields of knowledge that have emerged since this building opened in 1897. What comes to mind? What else might emerge in the future that could go on Minerva’s scroll?