An Allegory of Lyric Poetry 1811

"An Allegory of Lyric Poetry" (1811) by Marie-Gabrielle Capet is a black and white drawing depicting a winged muse holding a lyre in the clouds. Her flowing robes, wreath, and musical instruments symbolize the power of poetic expression. Two smaller figures, one playing a flute and another holding a spear, flank her, suggesting the different forms of artistic inspiration. This Neoclassical work reflects the idealized beauty and elevated subjects popular during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.