Minerva as Rome, Alessandro Algardi, c. 1640 - c. 1650
The sculptor Algardi mainly drew in preparation for his (portrait) sculptures and reliefs. In the case of this drawing, however, no sculpture is known. It is therefore quite possible that this sheet served as a design for a print. The goddess Minerva, recognizable by her helmet, personifies Rome here. Depicted at her feet are the city’s founders Romulus and Remus being suckled by a wolf.