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.
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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