This curation shines a spotlight on art history's most enduring subject, the muse. However, it invites viewers to consider the remarkable, real-life individuals, framed in famous artworks, from a brand new perspective. For too long, the muse has been perceived as a passive, female model, at the mercy of an older male artist, and often nude! But muses have been artists in their own right, designers, critics, friends, family members, protestors and more. Take a look at these muses who have been inspiring agents of art history, bringing creativity, collaboration, power and activism to the position.
This curation is based on the book 'Muse' (Penguin, 2022) which reclaims to term to celebrate the contributions of muses throughout art history.
The Bride (Lawrence Alloway) 1949
Sylvia Sleigh (1916–2010)
Oil paint on canvas
H 61 x W 50.8 cm
Tate
Peter Getting out of Nick's Pool 1966
David Hockney (b.1937)
Acrylic on board
H 152 x W 152 cm
Walker Art Gallery
Elizabeth Siddal Seated at an Easel, Painting c.1854–1855
Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828–1882)
Graphite on paper
H 17.7 x W 11.8 cm
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Joanna Mary Wells (1831–1861)
Oil on paper laid to linen
H 17.1 x W 13.7 cm
Yale Center for British Art
Chris Ofili (b.1968) 1989
Susan Thomas
Acrylic on canvas
H 76 x W 58 cm
Leicester Museums and Galleries
Auguste Rodin (1840–1917)
Bronze
H 35 x W 26 x D 20 cm
Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
Marchesa Casati (1881–1957) c.1918
Jacob Epstein (1880–1959)
Bronze
H 30 x W 29 x D 20.5 cm
Southend Museums
Esme by the Railings 2014
Chantal Joffe (b.1969)
Oil on canvas
H 40.5 x W 30.5 cm
Jerwood Collection
Hortense Fiquet (Madame Cezanne) Sewing c.1880
Paul Cézanne (1839–1906)
Graphite on pale cream wove paper
H 47.2 x W 30.9 cm
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
