Thalia en Melpomene 1851

"Thalia en Melpomene" is a lithograph created by Julien-Léopold Boilly in 1851. The artwork depicts two Greek muses, Thalia and Melpomene, standing side by side. Thalia, the muse of comedy, is portrayed holding a mask, while Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, holds a staff and a tragic mask. The artwork is a depiction of two contrasting aspects of theatre. Boilly, known for his portraits and genre scenes, uses this artwork to highlight the contrasting personalities of the muses. The simple lines and subtle shading of the lithograph convey the classical style of the artwork.