Muse c. 18th century

"Muse" is a red chalk drawing by the Italian High Renaissance master Raphael, dating from the 18th century. The drawing depicts the bust of a woman with long, flowing hair, looking down with her eyes closed. Raphael's refined technique and skillful use of shading create a sense of depth and volume. The drawing, now housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, is an example of Raphael's mastery of portraiture and his ability to capture the subtle nuances of human emotion.