The Renaissance
Parnassus, Andrea Mantegna
During the 14th through 17th centuries, Europe experienced a period of time where learning, art, architecture, music, and other liberal disciplines were "reborn" and became vital aspects of their culture. This Renaissance period opened many doors, particularly in art, for people to express themselves in ways they had not yet discovered.
Alongside the evolution of art came about the resurgance of studies in classical Antiquity. According to Professor Maureen Pelta, it was actually Antiquity in the Renaissance that "increas[ed the] value of art ... as cultural currency". (Pelta, p1).
It was during the Renaissance that the identities of the Muses were truly solidified. In Renaissance art depicting the Muses, they are seen as joyful, attractive, young women who provide inspiration (and sometimes seduction) to those around them. They are also seen holding their symbols as described in the "9 Muses" section. Each Muse became identifiable with these props - instead of being "the Muses", they developed further into characters of their own accord (similar to how Bacchylides specifcally addressed one Muse in his writings).
Alongside the evolution of art came about the resurgance of studies in classical Antiquity. According to Professor Maureen Pelta, it was actually Antiquity in the Renaissance that "increas[ed the] value of art ... as cultural currency". (Pelta, p1).
It was during the Renaissance that the identities of the Muses were truly solidified. In Renaissance art depicting the Muses, they are seen as joyful, attractive, young women who provide inspiration (and sometimes seduction) to those around them. They are also seen holding their symbols as described in the "9 Muses" section. Each Muse became identifiable with these props - instead of being "the Muses", they developed further into characters of their own accord (similar to how Bacchylides specifcally addressed one Muse in his writings).