Euterpe 1829

Etienne Acille Réveil made this print of Euterpe, one of the nine muses of Greek mythology, in the 19th century. She represents lyric poetry, music and song. Here, she is shown as a symbol of artistic inspiration, and in her time was closely associated with the academic art world in France. This image reflects the revival of classical art that took place in Europe at that time, the Neoclassical movement, particularly in its idealization of beauty and order. Réveil's print suggests the influence of artistic institutions such as the French Academy and the École des Beaux-Arts, both of which valued classical subjects. These institutions shaped artistic production and reception by promoting conservative aesthetic principles. Understanding this image involves examining a variety of resources, from archival documents to critical texts. Through this research, the cultural and institutional context that influenced its creation is unveiled.