Melpomene, Greek Muse of Tragedy
Engraving of Melpomene, Greek Muse of Tragedy, from a series entitled: The Nine Muses (plate 3) by Hendrik Goltzius, 1592. In Greek mythology, Melpomene, was initially the Muse of Singing, she then became the Muse of Tragedy, for which she is best known now. She is often represented with a tragic mask and wearing the cothurnus, boots traditionally worn by tragic actors. Often, she also holds a knife or club in one hand and the tragic mask in the other. She is the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. Her sisters include Calliope (muse of epic poetry), Clio (muse of history), Euterpe (muse of music and lyrical poetry), Terpsichore (muse of dancing), Erato (muse of erotic poetry), Thalia (muse of comedy), Polyhymnia (muse of hymns), and Urania (muse of astronomy).
Size: 3000px × 4362px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -, 1592, 16th, ancient, antiquity, art, artwork, bw, century, civilization, classical, culture, drawing, engraving, famous, goltzius, greek, hendrik, historic, historical, history, illustration, important, inspiration, legend, legendary, melpomene, muse, muses, myth, mythic, mythological, mythology, notable, tragedy
