Euterpe, from The Muses 1585 - 1635

Crispijn de Passe the Elder created this engraving of Euterpe, one of the nine muses from Greek mythology, sometime before his death in 1637. The image encapsulates the cultural and intellectual values of the late Renaissance, where classical themes were often used to convey contemporary ideas. Here, Euterpe, traditionally the muse of music, is depicted playing the flute. The choice of a female figure for this role reflects the era’s complex relationship with women and artistic expression. While women were often excluded from formal artistic training, the muse embodies a feminine ideal of creativity and inspiration. De Passe’s engraving invites us to reflect on the historical tensions between the representation of women in art and their actual participation in artistic and intellectual life. It presents a vision of harmony and inspiration, yet the reality for many women artists was often one of struggle and limited opportunity.