Lyric Muse

Paul Manship, Lyric Muse, 1912, bronze on marble base, 12 ¹⁄₂ x 8 ⁵⁄₈ x 7 ¹⁄₈ in. (31.7 x 22 x 18.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.45

Artwork Details

Title: Lyric Muse
Artist: Paul Manship
Founder: Roman Bronze Works
Date: 1912
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 12 ¹⁄₂ x 8 ⁵⁄₈ x 7 ¹⁄₈ in. (31.7 x 22 x 18.1 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of the artist
Mediums: bronze
marble
Mediums Description: bronze on marble base
Classifications: Sculpture
Subjects: Object — musical instrument — lyre
Mythology — classical — muse
Performing arts — music — lyre
Figure female — full length
Figure female — nude
Object Number: 1965.16.45
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1965.16.45

Artwork Description

Lyric Muse is a sculpture of Erato, the mythical Muse of poetry, mime, and hymns. The Greek word erato means "lovely" or "passionate," and the Muse was thought to inspire romantic poems and songs. Manship modeled the figure in her traditional pose of playing a lyre and singing.