Apollo and the Muses, François Verdier, 17th-18th century
François Verdier, portraitFrançois VerdierFrench, 1651–1730

Apollo and the Muses

17th-18th century · Drawing · 26.67 × 45.56 cm

Can I see it?

Not on view at present

Where is “Apollo and the Muses” now? Collection: Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minneapolis, United States

It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.

Checked
In this state since
Source
The museum

About the work

Among the Roman god Apollo’s alternate names were Dionysus, his Greek epithet; Phoebus, meaning “bright” and referencing his rule over the sun; and Musagetes, leader of the Muses. The Muses were goddesses of the poetic arts, all nine of them daughters of Jupiter (god of thunder) and Mnemosyne (goddess of memory). Apollo, center, appears here in his capacity as god of music, playing his lyre.

At left, Apollo’s winged steed, Pegasus, is poised near the mythical spring Hippocrene, brought to life when Pegasus forcefully thrust his hoof into the ground. This spring, located on the Muses’ sacred Mount Helicon, was said to inspire poetry when its waters were consumed.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Details

Accession number
2012.58.166

In the catalog

Sources

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On view at Minneapolis Institute of Art

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