Italy, 19th century / 1816
Terpsichore Lyran (Muse of Lyric Poetry)
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Terpsichore Lyran (Muse of Lyric Poetry) as sculpture (Italy, 19th century · 1816).
Trained by his grandfather, an Italian stonemason, Canova began modeling clay and carving marble sculptures before age ten.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as marble and credits Antonio Canova (Italian, 1757–1822).
The museum's collection notes: In Greek mythology, Terpsichore was one of the nine Muses, or goddesses of creative inspiration. The lyre, the Greek inscription on the short column, and the caduceus (entwined snakes) on the side identify the figure as Terpsichore Lyran, muse of lyric poetry. This sculpture began with a commission from Napoleon's brother, Lucien, for an idealized portrait of his wife, Alexandrine. Antonio Canova made this version for a British aristocrat and exhibited it in 1817 at the Royal Academy in London to great acclaim.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtTerpsichore Lyran (Muse of Lyric Poetry)Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.