The art of the Nine Muses transcends time, and each of them personify a different aspect of creative expression. But who are the Muses, and how are their representations of art still being expressed in the 21st century?
According to Medium, Calliope is the oldest of her sisters and the muse of epic poetry, often seen with a writing tablet and stylus. Her art tells stories of adventure and heroism, and she is the source of tales of mighty kings, fearless knights and conquests of the gods.
Poetry is a powerful tool that can be used to entertain and inspire, and epic poetry takes courage and imagination to new heights. In today’s world, the muse of epic poetry would be similar to a fiction author, such as Toni Morrison or Stephen King, who continue to practice the art of writing stories that display courage.
Clio is the muse of history, preserving the past and reinforcing the knowledge that is gained from rediscovering history. She roamed the lands with scrolls and tablets, carrying her stories of the past with her and sharing them with others.
History may not typically be viewed as a form of art, but much of the great art of our time is centered around history — they’ll always be intertwined.
Erato is the muse of lyric and erotic poetry, and she symbolizes love and romance. Usually found holding either a lyre or love arrows, her art is, simply put, melodic. As written previously, poetry is an art used as a tool to inspire, and erotic poetry inspires passion and promotes sexual liberation. Erato's art could be seen today through romance authors, such as Stephen Meyer and Andre Acimen, as well as singers whose lyrics embody that of love and devotion.
Euterpe is the muse of music, and her discovery of instruments led to her serenading the gods with her art. She inspires others to create and to express themselves through the production of sound.
Music can transform in so many ways through different genres, styles and subgenres. Music as an art form has an incredibly wide range, allowing creators to freely use art as an expression of self.
Melpomene is the muse of tragedy. Represented by a weapon or mask, she inspires tragic drama, often relating to storytelling and song. Tragedy is almost always associated with a negative connotation, but through story and song, tragedy can seem almost beautiful. It relates to the lives of the people who consume it, and the mellow way that it is written soothes and relates.
In today’s world, tragic drama can be expressed through melancholic art, stories or through song, a great example being Mitski.
Polyhymia is the muse of sacred poetry, hymns and eloquence, and she is known for her poised demeanor, displaying class and promoting academic excellence. Her art is demonstrated through religious hymns and professional writing, displaying a traditional — but refreshing — way of expressing art. In our modern day, this is executed by religious musicians and technical writers.
Terpischore is the muse of dance, and she is often seen holding a lyre, inspiring art through movement. Dance, just like music, has transformed and advanced as it’s been performed throughout the years. Today, dance has multiple genres and styles, and it can be expressed in many ways by a diverse selection of performers.
Thalia is the muse of comedy, and she’s represented by a shepherd’s staff and a mask, similar to Malpome. She displays the juxtaposition between the two muses and the characteristics they represent: joy and melancholy.
Thalia inspires people to express themselves through comedic writing and speech, indulging in something that can be hard to find in today’s world: the art of play.
Lastly, Urania is the muse of astronomy, seen with a compass and globe, discoverer of science and space. Her passion for discovery inspires people to seek knowledge and experiment with exploration in their own lives. Modern day exploration can be scientific or emotional, relating to the arts or studies in STEM.
The Nine Muses all portray different areas of the arts and sciences, demonstrating the beauty between the humanities and scientific exploration. As time passes, art and science transforms into different genres and new discoveries. No matter the changes they may undergo, they will always have been inspired by the Muses.
SHOOT LEADS Jasmine Freeman, Sabrina Li | PHOTOGRAPHER Sandra Fu | MODELS Allison Ho, Jolie Austen, Sierra Hudson, Yu Liu, Methni Ariyawansa, Sophie Wu, Belle Atkins, Evelyn Cassady, Lily Layne | HAIR Brooke Barnwell | STYLIST/VIDEOGRAPHERS Vivian Wang, Juliana Sobecks
