Melepomene 1776

Terkel Kleve created 'Melepomene', a monochrome print, during the late 18th century, a time of great social and political upheaval. This work offers a glimpse into the era's fascination with classical antiquity, yet it does so through a lens that is very much of its time. Melpomene, the muse of tragedy, is rendered here with a serene composure that almost masks the profound sorrow she embodies. The veil, a traditional symbol of mourning and mystery, also invites us to consider the role of women in the arts and society during the 1700s. Kleve’s choice to depict her in profile, reminiscent of ancient coins and cameos, flattens her identity in one sense but aggrandizes her in another. The artist asks us to consider how cultural memory and representation shape our understanding of identity and emotion.