The Muses: Euterpe and Melpomene

Robert Fagan (Cork c.1745 – Rome 1816). Oil painting on canvas, The Muses: Euterpe and Melpomene by Robert Fagan (Cork c.1745 – Rome 1816), 1793/95. Grisaille panel of two full-length classical female figures dressed in classical robes, on the left Euterpe (Muse of Lyric Poetry and Music), facing, her head turned to right profile, stands, her weight resting on her right foot, the other crossed over, in her left hand she holds a long opened scroll (of poetry), her left elbow resting on a tall stone plinth; on the right is Melpomene (‘singer’; Muse of Tragedy) turned to left, left profile, her right foot resting on a knee-high stone, her elbows resting on her right knee, her chin resting on the palm of her right hand, wearing a large classical ‘Tragedy’ mask which is tipped to the back of her head. Attingham Park, Shropshire (Accredited Museum)