Clio (history) (from the Tarocchi series D: Apollo and the Muses, #19)

1467

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Mythology Ferrara

Dominant colour

Clio (history) (from the Tarocchi series D: Apollo and the Muses, #19) is a 1467 by Master of the E-Series Tarocchi, a Renaissance work, depicting Ferrara, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
When & what style?: 1467 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This engraving shows Clio, the Muse of history. She holds an open book and a scroll, symbols of keeping records. A laurel wreath crowns her head, marking her as a leader among the Muses. These engravings weren’t for playing cards. They were made to teach noble families about art and knowledge. The artist carved fine lines to show Clio’s robe folds and the book’s pages. Look for more of these at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

The story of this work

Overview

This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “D”, and named Apollo and the Muses . In Greek mythology, the nine Muses (Calliope, Urania, Terpsichore, Erato, Polyhymnia, Thalia, Melpomene, Euterpe, and Clio) were the daughters of Zeus, king of the gods, and Mnemosyne, the Titaness of memory. The Muses were goddesses presiding over different branches of the arts and sciences. Their leader and supervisor was Apollo, the god of light, music, prophecy, and poetry. Here, Clio is personified as a full-length female figure, turned to left, and standing on a swan in an imaginary…

Read the full account in the museum source.