Why were the muses considered to be dangerous? Tura's 'A Muse (Calliope?)' | National Gallery

Imogen Tedbury, Simon Sainsbury Curatorial Fellow, discusses Tura's 'A Muse (Calliope?)' in ten minutes.

Paintings mentioned in this video:

🎨 Cosimo Tura, A Muse (Calliope?), probably 1455-60

🎨 Possibly by Girolamo Romanino, Pegasus and the Muses, about 1540

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[michaeldarby]

His skill in representing the different fabrics is amazing, one feels that you could touch the painting and feeling the different cloths.

[palabrasmagicas]

Excellent talk. It is amazing how much can be said about an apparently uncomplicated painting. The curator communicates very well. Thank you very much!

[MariaVosa]

I love how these short talks reveal how much there is to learn through them about different time periods and cultures. Excellent presentation!

[susanwoodcarver]

What an excellent presentation. Well done, precise and informative. I look forward to the next one. Thank you.

[introductiontophilosophyar]

Thank you, Ms Tedbury .... your time and effort is very much appreciated !

[EricaNernie]

Bob Dylan calls on Calliope in 'Mother of Muses" in his latest album: I'm falling in love with Calliope
She don't belong to anyone, why not give her to me?

[fkew]

Agree that this is an excellent talk. I am always intrigued by the beauty standards of the day. The Muse’s eyebrows are so 90s! Oh how fashion comes back around! Her chin is also so strong and her forehead goes on for days. The tight ringlets too, looks like she’s used a Ghd tong on those. I think the painting definitely has a sinister quality to it. Her beauty seems dangerous. There’s so many sharp points in this picture which contrast with the curves and folds of the Muse’s clothes. Seeing this makes me want to take a trip to the national gallery to see it in person

[bawbtherevelator]

Splendid, Ms Tedbury! I'm not sure of the amount of care and scholarship that goes into these 10-minute talks but it must be more than just "significant." Thanks so much.

[susanhepburn]

Thank you very much for this. Interesting and very well presented.

[timmarshall]

A really well done talk and presentation. Hope that you do more.

[lynnaliya]

I wish you’d write a book on this. Wonderful.

[lynnblack]

Good overview on the muses, and much appreciated. Love the fabrics in painting.

[lostlatinlover]

Imogen is a lovely enough to inspire most

[mariocalderon]

Thank you very much!
It's so interesting how an excellent explanation can convey the intention and meaning of a picture!

[lynnblack]

Loved it. Well done. Muses and sirens. Connected in myth. Interesting...

[eagleeye]

I love him! In Italy is Cosme’ Tura. Visit also Jean Fouquet and ha e a look at Madonna del latte . Wow!!!

[belkysherrera]

Excellent and very refreshing! Thank you

[curious_sausage]

What a treat. Well presented. Amaizing series.

[dmcgee]

What’s the story on calling those very un-dolphinlike critters dolphins? Was it a case of the artist trying to paint a description of a dolphin with no frame of reference? Kinda like those wonderful elephants in manuscripts? Or is it art historians calling that style of fantastical critter a dolphin?

[legoboy]

Thanks mum for giving me such a loaded name! Also great talk very interesting painting.