Artwork
Polyhymnia, Muse of Eloquence; Erato, Muse of Lyrical Poetry; Apollo, God of Light, Eloquence, Poetry and the Fine Arts with Urania, Muse of Astronomy; Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry; Clio, Muse of History
Polyhymnia, Muse of Eloquence; Erato, Muse of Lyrical Poetry; Apollo, God of Light, Eloquence, Poetry and the Fine Arts with Urania, Muse of Astronomy; Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry; Clio, Muse of History is an unspecified painting by the Neoclassicist artist Charles Meynier. It dates from 1800 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2003.6
- Credit line
- Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
About this work
Overview
This 1800 painting by Charles Meynier depicts six figures from Greek mythology, including Apollo and five Muses. It is a representative work of the Neoclassical movement and is held in The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows Apollo, god of poetry and the arts, surrounded by five Muses: Polyhymnia, Erato, Urania, Calliope, and Clio. Each figure is associated with a particular art or science, such as epic poetry, history, or astronomy.
Technique & Style
Meynier's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, with the figures standing out against a darker background. The soft lighting and classical poses of the figures evoke a sense of timelessness and connection to ancient Greek culture.
History & Provenance
The painting was created by Charles Meynier, a French artist known for his historical and mythological subjects, in 1800. Meynier was a contemporary of other prominent Neoclassical artists, including Antoine-Jean Gros and Jacques-Louis David.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Meynier (1763 or 1768, Paris – 1832, Paris) was a French painter of historical subjects in the late 18th and early 19th century. He was a contemporary of Antoine-Jean Gros and Jacques-Louis David.
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