(A)muse And (Be)mused

Today's inspiration is muse and I came across this idea when I stumbled across a photo of Daphne Guinness at the Costume Institute's Gala 2011. So I read up on ancient and modern day muses, to understand their relevance and positions. Throughout history, the creative likes like artists and designers have muses to inspire their work. Originated from Latin "musa" and/or Greek "mousa", muses were found in mythology, poetry and literature. Daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, they were said to be source of knowledge and inspiration behind the creation of literature and arts.

The Muses Clio, Euterpe and Thalia by Eustache Le Sueur

Melpomene, Erato and Polyhymnia by Eustache Le Sueur

Polyhymnia muse of eloquence by Simon Vouet

Terpischore, the muse of choir lyric poetry by Francois Boucher

Terpischore, muse of music by Jean-Marc Nattier, c.1739

Thalia, muse of comedy by Jean-Marc Nattier, c. 1739

The Muse Urania by Johann Heinrich Tischbein, c. 1782

The muses Urania and Calliope by Simon Vouet, c. 1634

Each goddesses represent and said to be the guardians of:
Calliope - epic poetry
Clio - history
Erato - lyric poetry
Euterpe - music
Melpomene - tragedy
Polyhymnia - sacred poetry
Terpischore - dance and song
Thalia - comedy
Urania - astronomy