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Minerva and the Muses

Former Attribution Formerly attributed to Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola) Italian
n.d.
Not on view
The Muses, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne (Memory), are mentioned by the Greek poets Hesiod and Homer as sources of inspiration for poets and musicians. Ovid (Metamorphoses 5.250–678) tells us that when Minerva (the Greek Athena) visited the sisters to see the miraculous fountain created by Pegasus, they told her about their victory over the nine daughters of the Macedonian king Pierus in a singing competition. Some of the Muses in this etching point upward, perhaps to the defeated Pierides, who were transformed into magpies.
This etching was formerly attributed to Andrea Schiavone, yet the closed contours, rounded forms, and sweet, soft faces of the women are not found in any of his other works.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Minerva and the Muses
  • Former Attribution: Formerly attributed to Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola) (Italian, Zadar (Zara) ca. 1510?–1563 Venice)
  • Date: n.d.
  • Medium: Etching and drypoint
  • Dimensions: Plate: 8 11/16 × 6 1/2 in. (22.1 × 16.5 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1927
  • Object Number: 27.78.2(99)
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
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The mystic marriage of Saint Catherine, Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola) Italian, Etching, a late worn impression
The mystic marriage of Saint Catherine
Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola)
ca. 1550
The Virgin and Child accompanied by saints, Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola) Italian, Etching, top corners trimmed and made up
The Virgin and Child accompanied by saints
Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola)
ca. 1540–50
Various Saints Witnessing John the Baptist's Homage to the Infant Christ, Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola) Italian, Etching
Various Saints Witnessing John the Baptist's Homage to the Infant Christ
Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola)
The return of the prodigal son who falls at his father's feet, Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola) Italian, Etching
The return of the prodigal son who falls at his father's feet
Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola)
ca. 1536–40
Moses and the burning bush, Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola) Italian, Etching
Moses and the burning bush
Andrea Schiavone (Andrea Meldola)
ca. 1544–47

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