The Muses: Urania, Erato and Calliope

Robert Fagan (Cork c.1745 – Rome 1816). Oil painting on canvas, The Muses: Urania, Erato and Calliope by Robert Fagan (Cork c.1745 – Rome 1816), 1793/95. Grisaille panel of three full-length female figures in classical robes; all three are facing: left to right: Urania (‘heavenly one’; Muse of Astronomy), head turned three-quarters to right, her left elbow resting on a cushioned plinth her head resting in the palm of her left hand, her right holds a long wand which she points to a globe at her feet; centre is Erato (Romantic Poetry), turned to right almost profile, her left hand resting on a plinth, her right holding the neckline of her robe; on the right is Calliope ( Muse of Epic Poetry), turned to left profile, wearing a laurel wreath in her hair, her arms akimbo, in each she holds a trumpet. Attingham Park, Shropshire (Accredited Museum)