Where Is The Muses: Clio, Euterpe and Thalia?

Q: Which muses are depicted in this painting?

Clio (history), Euterpe (music), and Thalia (comedy) appear in this work. Le Sueur painted all nine muses for the Hôtel Lambert's Cabinet des Muses.

Q: Where was this painting originally displayed?

It hung in the Hôtel Lambert on Paris's Île Saint-Louis, built by Louis Le Vau between 1641-1644. The paintings remained there until 1776.

Q: Where can I see this painting now?

The painting hangs at the Louvre in Paris. Louis XVI acquired it in 1776 for 50,000 livres at the comte d'Angiviller's recommendation.

Q: What style is the painting?

Le Sueur worked in the French Baroque tradition, creating elegant decorative schemes. The diagonal arrangement of figures creates characteristic Baroque movement and dynamism.

Eustache Le Sueur painted Baroque work between 1652 and 1655 for the Cabinet des Muses in the Hôtel Lambert on Paris's Île Saint-Louis. Three muses appear: Clio (history), Euterpe (music), and Thalia (comedy). They are arranged diagonally, creating movement across the composition.

The Hôtel Lambert was built by Louis Le Vau for Jean-Baptiste Lambert de Thorigny between 1641 and 1644. Le Sueur executed elaborate decorative schemes for the house, including the Cabinet de l'Amour and this series depicting all nine muses. The paintings remained in situ until 1776, when heirs sold them. At the instigation of the comte d'Angiviller, Louis XVI acquired them for 50,000 livres. This panel measures 130 x 130 cm, oil on panel, and now hangs at the Louvre in Paris.

Clio (history), Euterpe (music), and Thalia (comedy) appear in this work. Le Sueur painted all nine muses for the Hôtel Lambert's Cabinet des Muses.

It hung in the Hôtel Lambert on Paris's Île Saint-Louis, built by Louis Le Vau between 1641-1644. The paintings remained there until 1776.

The painting hangs at the Louvre in Paris. Louis XVI acquired it in 1776 for 50,000 livres at the comte d'Angiviller's recommendation.

Le Sueur worked in the French Baroque tradition, creating elegant decorative schemes. The diagonal arrangement of figures creates characteristic Baroque movement and dynamism.

The Muses: Clio, Euterpe and Thalia

Details

Where to See It

The Artist

More by Eustache Le Sueur

Portrait of a Young Man

Saint Bruno the feet of Pope Urban II

The Birth of Cupid

A Gathering of Friends

Also at Louvre, Paris

Artemis of Versailles

The Concert: Singer and Theorbo Player

The Combat of Mars and Minerva

Madonna and Sleeping Child with Three Angels

Related Baroque Works

The Laughing Cavalier

Girl with the Red Hat

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Laocoön

The Lacemaker

Woman Holding a Balance

Woman Reading a Letter

The Rokeby Venus

About The Muses: Clio, Euterpe and Thalia

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