The Muses of Music and Poetry c. 18th century
guillaumecoustoutheyounger
minneapolisinstituteofart
bronze, sculpture
portrait
allegory
baroque
sculpture
classical-realism
bronze
figuration
classicism
sculpture
group-portraits
history-painting
academic-art
Guillaume Coustou the Younger's "The Muses of Music and Poetry" is a bronze sculpture depicting two draped figures. The figure on the left holds a lyre, symbolizing music, and the figure on the right rests her hand on an open book, representing poetry. Coustou's realistic portrayal of the muses, their flowing garments, and their intertwined poses emphasize the harmony between music and poetry. The sculpture is a testament to Coustou's mastery of the Baroque style, which flourished in France during the 18th century. This artwork can be viewed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Comments
As Enlightenment tenets measured the civilization of a society by its treatment of women, the arts, and especially music, came to be understood in terms of feminine beauty. Women, while held to oppressive social standards, paradoxically also represented an aesthetic ideal. Notice in this sculpture that music, with a lyre under her arm, and poetry, with her fingers in the pages of a book, hold hands. Music and poetry were expected to perfectly complement one another, a goal exemplified by the careful singing lessons outlined in the Journal de la mode’s pages.
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