This painting, by the French artist Charles Meynier (1768-1832), depicts Polyhymnia (also known as Polymnia), a Muse from ancient Greek mythology. Although the title of the artwork presents her as the Muse of Eloquence, her ancient sphere of artistic influence was more accurately focused on hymns, works of praise, and pantomime. Her name, as well as the names of her sisters, Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomene, Terpsichore, Erato, Urania, and Calliope were first thought to have been written down by the ancient poet, Hesiod (c. 8th century BCE). According to ancient scholars, the wordplay and allusions involved in their names shaped each goddess’ sphere of artistic influence. On this, the scholar Diodorus Siculus (c. 1st century BCE) wrote:
“To each of the Muses men assign her special aptitude for one of the branches of the liberal arts, such as poetry, song, pantomimic dancing, the round dance with music, the study of the stars, and the other liberal arts… For the name of each Muse, they say, men have found a reason appropriate to her:…Polymnia, because by her great (polle) praise (humnesis) she brings distinction to writers whose works have won for them immortal fame” (Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, 4.7).
Polyhymnia, in that sense, could certainly be considered a Muse of Eloquence, for eloquent speech was required for the recipients of her patronage to win an immortal name through praiseful oratory and song. Yet, in terms of a Muse’s personal eloquence, Polyhymnia had a rival in Calliope, of whom the aforementioned Diodorus Siculus stated, “Calliope, because of her beautiful (kale) voice (ops) that is, by reason of the exceeding beauty of her language she wins the approbation of her auditors” (Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, 4.7). Calliope, the Muse of Epic Poetry, therefore, had a much stronger claim to the title of the Muse of Eloquence. Nevertheless, the title of the artwork clearly illustrates that Charles Meynier wanted to depict Polyhymnia in the painting.
Written by C. Keith Hansley
Sources:
- The Library of History, by Diodorus Siculus, edited by Giles Laurén (Sophron Editor, 2014).
- The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion, edited by Simon Price and Emily Kearns. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
- https://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/MousaPolyhymnia.html
- https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2003.6#additional-views/2
