Pallas, the naked goddess is depicted seated with a spear and a gorgon’s head shield, with figures grouped to the right and Cupid flying overhead, 296cm high, 319cm wide.
There is a Latin inscription which translates as: Juno, Minerva, Venus, contend, under an unfair judge, For whose form the more beautiful will take the prize: The shrewd fount of wisdom, and the exalted spouse of the thunderer.
On trial they fail, delicate Venus surpasses them both.
The 1688 Burghley Inventory records: ‘My Lord’s Bedd Chamr. ‘3 peices of Blue and Gold Hangings by Vanderbanc.’
