The Muse Erato at her Lyre 1895

"The Muse Erato at her Lyre" is an 1895 oil painting by John William Godward. The painting features the Greek muse Erato, who is depicted playing a lyre while seated on a luxurious fur-covered stool. Godward's work is characterized by its meticulously detailed and idealized depiction of classical beauty and was a prominent example of the Aesthetic Movement, a late 19th-century artistic movement that celebrated beauty and sensuality. The painting's rich colors and soft lighting create a sense of intimacy and tranquility, capturing the essence of the muse's poetic inspiration.