Johann Theodor de Bry. Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy, plate 8 from Parnassus Biceps. 1601. Frankfurt an der Oder. Engraving in black on ivory laid paper In Greek mythology, the nine Muses governed the arts and music. Melpomene, in the print on the left, was the protector of tragedy; her counterpart Thalia, Muse of comedy and bucolic poetry, is visible on the right (see ). Each Muse holds a mask—a tragic mask for Melpomene, a comic one for Thalia. The duality of tragedy and comedy as manifested in these two deities brings to mind the universally recognizable image of the laughing and weep
Johann Theodor de Bry. Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy, plate 8 from Parnassus Biceps. 1601. Frankfurt an der Oder. Engraving in black on ivory laid paper In Greek mythology, the nine Muses governed the arts and music. Melpomene, in the print on the left, was the protector of tragedy; her counterpart Thalia, Muse of comedy and bucolic poetry, is visible on the right (see ). Each Muse holds a mask—a tragic mask for Melpomene, a comic one for Thalia. The duality of tragedy and comedy as manifested in these two deities brings to mind the universally recognizable image of the laughing and weeping faces used to symbolize theater today.
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