A Muse of Poetry 1840 - 1898

"A Muse of Poetry" is a charcoal drawing by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes, a prominent French symbolist painter. Created between 1840 and 1898, the work depicts a female figure in a flowing gown, holding a lyre, symbolizing the muse of poetry. The drawing, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features a delicate and expressive linework, characteristic of Chavannes' artistic style, which often explored themes of mythology and allegory. The subtle shading and elongated form of the figure contribute to the ethereal and melancholic mood of the work.