Polyhymnia 1829

Etienne Réveil sketched Polyhymnia, the muse of sacred poetry, in this image. We see her draped in classical robes, a wreath of flowers adorning her head, symbols of purity and divine inspiration. Consider how the image of a draped figure, a signifier of mourning or reverence, has persisted through time. We see it in Roman sculptures, early Christian art, and even in Renaissance paintings of the Madonna. The wreath, too, has echoes in ancient rituals and modern celebrations, a garland signifying honor and cyclical renewal, from ancient Greece and Rome to modern-day uses, such as the floral crowns worn during Midsummer festivals. This image taps into something primal—an understanding that art and memory intertwine, and these symbols have the ability to reach through the ages, sparking feelings of awe, connection, and the echo of past traditions.