Standbeeld van een muze 1636

Joan Comin created this drawing of a muse. Its dimensions are 370 by 221 millimeters. This image invites us to consider how classical ideals were reimagined. The depiction of the muse, draped in classical robes, offers a window into historical gender dynamics. While muses were sources of inspiration for male artists, their own voices and creative expressions were often sidelined. Here, the muse stands with a theatrical mask, perhaps symbolizing the roles women were expected to play. What does it mean to be a woman and also an artist? Do their identities have to compete with each other or can they coexist? What is the relationship between a woman artist and the male gaze of the art world? This artwork is not just a depiction of a muse, but also a reflection on the complex identities and the historical context that shaped their representation.