Minerva

Napoleon knew the power of symbols and the messages they could give. On this basis, Elisa is often painted as the goddess Minerva, sitting with a sceptre in her hand, the diadem on her head and a snake symbolising prudence, dominion, and eternity at her feet.

Elisa had her sights set on Florence, the regency of Lucca was not enough for her. She outclasses Maria Luisa di Borbone and becomes the Grand Duchess of Tuscany. In this image Elisa is compared to Maria Luisa (the fish).