The Muse Melpomene, a patron of the arts, presided over tragedy, hence a mask worn by actors in tragedies in her hand.

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In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, Melpomene was one of the nine Muses, daughters of Zeus, king of gods and Mnemosyne (goddess of memory). As a patron of the arts, she presided over tragedy, hence a mask worn by actors in tragedies in her hand. This illustration is of a statue housed in the Vatican Museum.

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Size: 3099px × 6000px
Photo credit: © Ivy Close Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: greek, legend, melpomene, mnemosyne, muse, muses, museum, myth, mythology, patron, religion, roman, tragedy, tragic, vatican