Artemisia Gentileschi, Clio: The Muse of History, 1632
"The Muses in Greek mythology, poetry and literature are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths. The compliment to a real woman who inspires creative endeavor is a later idea." The list of the nine muses, their domains, and their emblems follows below:
- Calliope: Muse of Epic Poetry with the Writing Tablet as her Emblem
- Clio: Muse of History with the Scrolls as her Emblem
- Erato: Muse of Love Poetry with the Cithara as her Emblem
- Euterpe: Muse of Song and Elegiac Poetry with the Aulos as her Emblem
- Melpomene: Muse of Tragedy with the Tragic Mask as her Emblem
- Polyhymnia: Muse of Hymns with the Veil as her Emblem
- Terpsichore: Muse of Dance with the Lyre as her Emblem
- Thalia: Muse of Comedy with the Comic Mask as her Emblem
- Urania: Muse of Astronomy with the Globe and Compass as her Emblems
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