The Muse

 

Many artists have a muse, someone who inspires them and often features in their work. The original muses were nine goddesses who embodied inspiration and knowledge in the arts and sciences.  Interestingly, there was no classical muse for visual arts - maybe painting and sculpture were seen as literal representations that did not need creative inspiration. 

Many great artists and writers famously had a muse, usually a woman, who was often their lover.  But a muse can be platonic, a friend or family member, and they can be male, a child, or even an animal. There are some artists who claim to be their own muse!  A muse can even be a thing, a place... or even a substance… like rock.