The Muses

John Singer Sargent, Apollo and the Muses, 1921, The Musem of Fine Arts, Boston, oil on canvas painting

Kaya Sol

        “Apollo and the Muses” is a commissioned work created by John Singer Sargent, an American painter. While American, Sargent was born in Italy in 1856 and studied in Italy, Germany, and Paris (“John Singer Sargent - Home”). He was primarily a portrait painter and dabbled in landscape and watercolors (“John Singer Sargent - Home”). While there isn’t much information on Sargent, the same cannot be said for his subjects in “Apollo and the Muses.” The Muses and Apollo are prominent figures in Greek mythology, although this paper will focus more on the Muses. This Curator’s Remark will serve as a comparative analysis between the depiction of the Muses in Greek myth and Sargent’s interpretation of the Muses in his painting.

        Usually portrayed as nine, the Muses are the children of Zeus and Titaness Mnemosyne (Memory) (Morford et al., 131). They are the embodiment of inspiration in the arts and sciences, each representing an artistic function (Mordford et al., 131). They are also proclaimers of heroes; it is through them that heroes are immortalized. The Muses were thought to know and remember all that has happened, and it was through artists that Muses shared their knowledge (La Fond). In a way, they are portrayed in myth as the first historians.

The Muses are sometimes thought to have originally been water sprites “with the power of prophecy and then inspiration, imaged from the babbling waters as they flow” (Morford et al., 131). This mythic characteristic seems to be portrayed indirectly through the fluidity of Sargent’s painting. Sargent depicted the nine Muses in an unbroken circle, dancing around the God Apollo. Their movements are fluid and natural, their arms creating soft angles. This depiction of the Muses, from their movement to their garb, gives a sense of fluidity, much like the water.  

        The myth of the Muses shares their association with Apollo, as he is the God of music, poetry, and the arts (Morford et al., 131). Sargent depicts Apollo as the center of this painting, haloed by the sun and holding a lyre, the Muses dancing around him. In the myths involving the Muses, they are depicted as beings of authority, of what is true and who has the right to spread this truth. And while the Muses are indeed associated with Apollo in myth, Sargent’s painting portrays the Muses more as agents of Apollo. They revolve around him, much as the planets orbit the sun, insinuating that he has a higher authority or importance.

One final discrepancy to note between the Muses and Apollo. While the myth highlights the differentiating traits of the Muses (their artistic functions), the painting gives no hint of their defining characteristics. They do not hold objects like Apollo does; their garb and hair are almost identical, and the decision to paint in neutral tones aids in making the Muses indistinguishable from each other. Maybe Sargent’s purpose was to highlight the similarities in that many of the Muses may have shared some roles or that their roles were equally important. Or perhaps he meant nothing at all.

Either way, Sargent’s painting, while in some aspects following mythic depiction in their origin story and association with the Gods, still very much shows examples of artistic freedom and interpretation. His decisions to make the Muses indistinguishable from each other and to center Apollo leaves me wondering what he meant to convey in this portrayal of the Muses. Regardless of Sargent’s intent, his painting of “Apollo and the Muses” is a masterpiece.

Jackson Yu

The divine narrative of Apollo and the Muses, as portrayed in the neoclassical splendor of John Singer Sargent’s painting, represents a harmonious union of artistic expression and ancient mythology. In my role as a curator, I am delighted to showcase this painting which not only reflects Sargent's classical knowledge but also embodies the essence of the Muses' inspirational power. This essay seeks to deepen the understanding of the mythological significance of Apollo and the Muses as well as their visual representation by Sargent, encouraging an enriched appreciation for their enduring legacy.

Within Greek mythology, the Muses are revered as the goddesses of the arts, gracing mortals with the flame of creativity. Each Muse is an advocate for a distinct artistic discipline, from the lofty verses of epic poetry to the celestial mysteries of astronomy ("The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology," 2020). Similarly, they are celebrated as custodians of knowledge, a theme echoed by the Collector's exploration of their individual domains and attributes ("The 9 Muses of Greek Mythology," 2023). Apollo stands as their guide, the quintessential symbol of music, poetry, and the arts. Their collective role in fostering the cultural and intellectual flourishment of ancient societies is richly detailed in Morford, Lenardon, and Sham’s "Classical Mythology" (12th edition, 2023).

Sargent's "Apollo and the Muses" vividly brings to life this divine symposium. Apollo is serenely dominant at the center, his lyre in hand, radiating the calm leadership expected of the god of the arts. Surrounding him, the Muses are portrayed in a dance of interconnected grace, a pictorial representation of the artistic harmony they inspire. The painting stands before us, alive with movement and grace, as the Muses’ garments create a visual rhythm against the dark, somber background, suggesting the fluid nature of inspiration.

The elliptical composition set against a stark azure backdrop speaks to the artist’s neoclassical style, emphasizing classical balance and proportion while infusing the scene with perpetual dynamism. This artistic decision showcases Sargent’s deep engagement with the classical tradition and his personal reinterpretation. The careful modulation of color serves to highlight the figures, drawing the viewer into a contemplative engagement with light and shadow, form and substance.

When Sargent's work is juxtaposed with the traditional characteristics of the Muses and Apollo, it reveals a faithful adherence to their mythological essence, layered with a distinctive artistic vision. The painting not only revives the ancient deities but also illustrates their collective impact on the creative process, aligning with the neoclassical movement’s aim to reinvent classical themes for a contemporary audience.

Through a scholarly lens, the painting offers an insight into Sargent’s approach to the neoclassical, exemplifying the enduring relevance of classical mythology in art. It is an artwork that transcends time, linking the scholarly discourse of the past with the living breath of modern interpretation. It allows us to contemplate the lasting influence of these mythic figures on the arts and their capacity to inspire across generations.

In conclusion, "Apollo and the Muses" by John Singer Sargent is a profound dialogue between the past and the present, an invitation to explore the ancient world through the lens of neoclassical art. As viewers, we are afforded a glimpse into the realm where the Muses dance, Apollo presides, and inspiration flows eternal. This piece is a privilege to curate, bridging classical myth and modernity, leaving behind a gift of art and inspiration.

Works Cited

"John Singer Sargent - Home." John Singer Sargent, www.johnsingersargent.org/. Accessed 11 February 2024.

La Fond, Marie. "Laying the Foundation, Setting the Scene: Creation Myth." Canvas, canvas.uw.edu/courses/1699218/pages/lesson-2-video-lectures?module_item_id=19767659. Accessed 8 January 2024.

Morford, Mark, et al. Classical Mythology. 12th ed., Oxford University Press, 2023.

“The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology.” Greek Myths & Greek Mythology, 23 Nov. 2020, www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/nine-muses-in-greek-mythology/.

Williams, Bethany. “The 9 Muses of Greek Mythology.” TheCollector, 8 Nov. 2023, www.thecollector.com/the-9-muses-greek-mythology/.