The Minerve of the University of Milan
A collection of occurrences of this symbol inside the Ca' Granda
SceptreUniversity of Milan
Sceptre
The Minerva dominates the sceptre designed by the artist Giannino Castiglioni.
Below it and the frieze with figures, there are the names of the first four Faculties that founded the University: Sciences, Law, Medicine, Letters.
In the last section you can read the dedication to the Rector Luigi Mangiagalli and the date of the inauguration of the University of Milan, December 8, 1924.
University SealUniversity of Milan
Seal
The Minerva engraved on the onyx of the seal, is depicted with an olive branch, with Milan in the background.
University SealUniversity of Milan
The stone is crowned by the name of the Rector and other illustrious personalities of Milanese society. The seal was designed by the artist Lodovico Pogliaghi.
Gonfalon (front)University of Milan
The historical Gonfalon
The Gonfalon with the symbols of the Faculties and the goddess of Science is represented with an iconography that recalls the goddess Athena.
In particular, it is inspired by the copy of Athena Parthenos, kept at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
Gold MedalUniversity of Milan
Commemorative Medallion
Minerva is the protagonist of the commemorative gold medal of Giacomo Manzù (1951).
The goddess is depicted sitting, with shield and spear. Next to it the Owl, symbol of Wisdom.
The four sketches of the Commemorative Medal, in graphite on paper, are kept at the Rectorate.
Minerva (1956) by Lucio FontanaUniversity of Milan
The great Minerva
At the entrance of Via Festa del Perdono 3, there is the large bronze Minerva made in 1956 by Lucio Fontana.
The work is shaped with the impetus that characterizes the spatialist research of the author.
VUMM-Virtual UniMi Museum, was conceived, designed, built, and released by the Università degli Studi di Milano.
Project Team - Conception and technological-scientific direction: Goffredo Haus – Prorector for Digital Innovation, ICT Services, Strategic Projects, and Special Initiatives.
- Project Management, planning, creation, content editing: Marcella Mattavelli – Deployment of Intellectual Property and Innovation Division.
- Digital design and creation: Adriano Baratè – ICT Division
The same working group edited and created the Google Arts & Culture page dedicated to VUMM.
Special thanks are due Magnificent Rector Elio Franzini, Prorector for Third Mission, Territory, and Cultural Activities Marina Carini, General Director Roberto Conte, and Director of Deployment of Intellectual Property and Innovation Division Roberto Tiezzi, who strongly believed in this initiative and supported it by working with all institutional offices and faculty bodies.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.