Erato 

Frederic Leighton painted 'Erato' using oil on canvas during a time when mythological subjects offered artists a way to explore beauty and ideal forms, while also subtly engaging with contemporary social issues. Here, we see Erato, the Greek muse of lyric poetry, adorned with flowers, standing tall with her lyre, accompanied by a winged figure. Leighton, as many artists of his time, draws upon classical antiquity, but he also subtly infuses the painting with the Victorian era’s complex relationship to gender and sexuality. Erato is depicted as a figure of both power and sensuality, embodying the Victorian fascination with the ideal feminine form. Look closely, and you'll notice how the composition and the interplay between the figures create a dynamic tension that invites the viewer to contemplate themes of inspiration, beauty, and the complex relationship between the artist and their muse. 'Erato' then, is more than just a depiction of a mythological figure; it’s a reflection of the Victorian era's aesthetic values, its negotiation of gender roles, and its enduring fascination with the classical past.