1. MnemosynÉ
2. Clio
3. CalliopÉ
4. EuterpÉ
5. TerpsichorÉ
6. Urania
7. Polyhymnia
8. Thalia
9. MelpomenÉ
10. Erato
The mother of the nine Muses and also the Goddess of Memory has at the top of her head a winged figure with an inverted torch, which represents a vivid memory, sometimes referred to as a burning memory.
The Muse of Epic Song and Poetry is represented writing on her wax tablet (wax is easily erased and corrected) plots for epic song, poetry and movies.
The Muse of Dance is shown both dancing as a golden figure and accompanying herself as a red figure. In the sky the three Graces dance among the stars.
The Muse of Sacred Song is consulting the heavens on a starry moonlight night.
The Muse of Tragedy watches a contemporary tragic myth on her laptop.
The Muse of History is represented in three different versions, which are interpretations of three famous statues of Clio in three different museums. One represents History, the second Herstory and the third Theirstory.
The Muse of Music is in her temple, surrounded by numerous musical instruments, including everything from bassoons to bagpipes.
The Muse of Astronomy is depicted in two different versions, near and far, both holding her sacred symbol, the celestial sphere.
The Muse of Comedy is shown with her curved stick and laughing mask, along with the great comedian Charlie Chaplin, who, himself, has inspired countless comedians.
The Muse of Erotic Poetry embraces Bacchus in an amorous moment. Her small lyre slips from her hand as she reaches to adjust Bacchus’s diadem. The nine butterflies represent the nine muses.
11. Duet
13. Feather Sisters
14. Orchid Muse
15. Muse Travels
Euterpé and Terpsichoré perform on lyre and double flute.
The growing of orchids requires its own particular Muse to obtain magnificent results.
Two poets await inspiration from Calliopé, who sends the raven as her messenger.
Urania, the Muse of Astronomy, guides space ships from one galaxy to another.
12. Muse Garden
Mnemosyné, the mother of the Muses, takes center stage, with her daughters arching above her head, each turning into a flower in a prism of colors. Directly above Mnemosyné’s head is a violet flower, conjured from a memory of Pavlova.
16. Heavenly Music
17. Dazzling Melody
18. Star Dance
19. Erato’s Love Poem
Euterpé, the Muse of Music, brings about the music of the spheres in outer space by creating planetary vibrations just as we might pluck the strings of a lute on earth.
Terpsichoré inspires a few dancers to extraordinary heights. Anna Pavlova and Maria Tallchief soar into the stars.
Mnemosyné remembers how, as a girl, she danced with abandoned liberty to the melody of Pan.
Erato’s boat is pulled along by doves and butterflies as she glides through tranquil waters.
20. Blue Lotus
The Egyptians thought the blue lotus inspired poetry, music, and amorous sensations through its mind-altering scent.
23. Terracotta
Melpomené gazes upon a number of commemorative vases. Each vase represents a victory, but the Muse of Tragedy knows well that for each victory, there is also a tragedy.
21. Urania’s Midnight Reflection
Urania sees herself coming and going on one of her many midnight trips to the moon.
24. Epic
Calliopé thinks about Herakles (Hercules) and his 12 labors performed through many years.
22. Muse Flower
The golden flower contains all nine Muses and their mother in the petals.
25. Muse Moon
26. Love Story
27. Nine Muses
28. Trio
The curves of moon, architecture, and the human form resonate in the summer night.
Zeus and Athena look down on the nine Muses, each posing with her symbol.
Calliopé conjures up a new version of the oldest story ever told – the romance. Eros and Psyche have difficulties with Aphrodite (Venus). True love wins out, and Venus withdraws her jealous meddling. The body (Eros) and the mind (Psyche) are allowed to wed.
Urania invites Venus and Diana to debate the topic of the perfect form, the sphere.
29. House of the Muses
This piece was created to honor Don Baum, whose art took the form of a house for many years. This is the third version I have made of House of the Muses. The first two were the catalyst for this exhibition, but sold immediately, which is why they are not included here. This one is signed and numbered 3/3 because it is the third and final version of my Muse House. The house contains Mnemosyné and the nine Muses, as well as a glimpse of my studio, where I sit working on a self-portrait. I placed Clio in my studio because I often draw upon History in my art.
30. Red Cloud
31. Red Ball, Ginger, David
32. Erato’s Flower
33. Flying Music
Each spring, the recurring forms of nature inspire the poet.
Love poems often include references to flowers, and why not? The flowers are the erotic parts of plants.
Architecture, sculpture, painting, and cinema are inspired by the Muses as well as Hermes (Mercury).
Hermes (Mercury) flies with the sound of lyres and Davros (the Dalek) with the sound of bassoons.
MUSE A N E X H I B I T I O N O F CO L L AG E S BY J A M E S M C N E I L L M E S P L É S E P T E M B E R 5 – O C TO B E R 1 1 , 2 0 1 4
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