Terpsichore Lyran (1816 CE)

Terpsichore Lyran or (Muse of Lyric Poetry) is a captivating neoclassical marble sculpture created by the Italian master Antonio Canova in 1816. This life-size figure embodies serene grace and ideal beauty, portraying Terpsichore—one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology—as the inspiring force behind lyric poetry. Standing elegantly beside a column adorned with her attributes, the work exemplifies Canova’s signature style: polished surfaces, harmonious proportions, and a timeless elegance that bridges ancient ideals with modern sensibility.

Antonio Canova (1757–1822), Italy’s foremost neoclassical sculptor, was trained from childhood by his grandfather, a stonemason, and began modeling clay and carving marble before the age of ten. He later studied in Venice and Rome, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art as well as Michelangelo. Canova achieved international fame for his elegant, idealized figures and worked for prominent patrons, including Napoleon and his family.  

This sculpture dates to 1816, created in Italy (likely in Canova’s Roman or Possagno studio) during the post-Napoleonic era, following Napoleon’s abdication in 1815 and the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. Neoclassicism dominated, emphasizing classical ideals as a counter to revolutionary turmoil. The work originated as a commission from Lucien Bonaparte (Napoleon’s brother) for an idealized portrait of his wife, Alexandrine, but this version was adapted for a British aristocrat. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London in 1817, where it received widespread acclaim for its technical mastery and emotional refinement.

One notable anecdote involves the sculpture’s origins: what began as a personal portrait of Alexandrine Bonaparte evolved into a mythological allegory when the commission shifted. This transformation highlights Canova’s skill in blending real likeness with classical idealization. Another highlights its success—the 1817 London exhibition drew great praise, affirming Canova’s reputation across Europe at a time of shifting political alliances after the Napoleonic wars.

Terpsichore Lyran stands as a quintessential example of neoclassical art, reflecting the era’s fascination with ancient Greece and Rome as models of harmony, beauty, and noble simplicity (inspired by Winckelmann’s ideas of “quiet grandeur”). In Greek mythology, Terpsichore, daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, traditionally governs dance and choral song, but here she is specifically identified as the Muse of lyric poetry through her lyre (a symbol of musical and poetic inspiration), the Greek inscription “Terpsichore Lyran” on the column, and the caduceus (staff of Hermes, linked to eloquence and communication). The figure’s graceful contrapposto pose, flowing drapery, and introspective gaze evoke timeless inspiration, uniting music, words, and emotion.  

The sculpture is carved from white marble, achieving a soft, luminous surface that mimics living skin through meticulous polishing and subtle transitions. Its overall dimensions are 177.5 × 78.1 × 61 cm (69 7/8 × 30 3/4 × 24 in.), with an approximate weight of 560 kg (1236 lbs). The figure stands in a gentle contrapposto, draped in classical folds, holding or accompanied by a lyre and positioned next to a short column featuring the caduceus and inscription. Canova’s technique—refined carving and surface treatment—creates an illusion of softness and vitality in hard stone.

The sculpture passed through distinguished collections:  

– Simon H. Clarke, 9th Bt. (Oak Hill, East Barnet, England);  
– Alfred de Rothschild (Halton, Buckinghamshire, England), inherited by his nephew Lionel de Rothschild in 1918;  
– Lionel Nathan de Rothschild (Exbury, Hampshire, England), 1918–1942;  
– Edmund Leopold de Rothschild (Exbury, Hampshire, England), sold to Wildenstein & Co. in 1963;  
– Wildenstein & Co. (New York), sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art in 1968 (accession 1968.212, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund).  

It remains in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s permanent collection.