The Muses: Clio and Thalia
Robert Fagan (1761 - Rome 1816)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1793 - 1795
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1200 x 1048 mm (47 1/4 x 41 1/4 in)
Place of origin
Rome
Order this imageCollection
Attingham Park, Shropshire
NT 609092
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, The Muses: Clio and Thalia by Robert Fagan (Cork c.1745 – Rome 1816), 1793/95. Grisaille panel of two full-length classical female figures in classical robes, the figure on the left, Clio ('renown'; Muse of History) is facing, her weight on her right foot, turned to right profile, she leans on a plinth behind her, and rests her left arm on it, in her left hand she holds a book which she appears to be reading, her right hand has a stylus; the figure on the right, Thalia, (Comedy and Pastoral Poetry and Festivals) is also facing, feet planted firmly apart, her head turned to right, almost profile, her right hand extended holding a wand (?) her left hand holds up a mask representing Comedy.
Provenance
Presumably commissioned by Thomas Noel Hill, 2nd Lord Berwick (1770-1832) on his visit to Naples in 1792/3; bequeathed to the National Trust in 1947 with the estate, house and contents of Attingham by Thomas Henry Noel-Hill, 8th Baron Berwick (1877-1947) on 15th May 1953.
Credit line
Attingham Park, The Berwick Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
Robert Fagan (1761 - Rome 1816), artist