The medieval period, often thought of as the “dark ages,” is actually a natural progression of the intellectual development of man.  Christianity (for our purposes) replaced the polytheistic culture of the Greeks, and the fear of idolatry had a great impact on statuary and painting.  In some cases the depiction of “immortals” was permissible, providing that the purpose of the piece was to educate and illustrate tales which would the aid the primarily illiterate citizens in memorization of a particular lesson or fable.

The Renaissance, hailed as the rebirth of the creative and intellectual mind, placed focus on exploration of the individual, the emotional and on nature as a deity in and of itself.       

“Mars and Venus known as Parnassus” (1430 -  1507) depicts the Nine Muses dancing underneath Mars and Venus. Hermes, is identifiable by his winged shoes and staff, and Pegasus and little cupids are scattered through the air. 

"Apollo and the Muses," painted in 1557, depicts Apollo presiding over a festival where the Muses dance and sing. Again, Pegasus is flying in the background.  The exquisite detail and volumptousness of the figures is typical of the Romantic and Renaissance styles of painting. 

"The Assembly of the Muses and Poets on Mount Parnassus" (16th- 17th century) is a drawing reminiscent of the flowing relief  sculpture of the Greek Hellenistic period.   Pegasus is present once again. 

The "Parnassus Float Celebrating Wedding"  (1475) in honor of Prince Pesaro's wedding is rather esoteric.  

“The Cumaean Sybil and Christine de Pizan with the Muses” was painted in 1400, the advent of the Renaissance.  The Sybil was a Greek prophetess of Apollo who led Aeneas through Hades in the Aeneid, & Christine De Pizan was a 15th century French writer. The Sibyl may be guiding de Pizan, who, as a writer, draws her inspiration from the Muses. Pegasus is flying above the Muses.

The 15^th century Italian Tarot cards are an excellent representation of the time of each individual Muse.

The painting by Martin Le Franc entitled “The Nine Muses” depicts the sisters playing their musical instruments.  

References: Croix, Gilbert, & Schroter.

Mars & Venus, Known at Parnassus

Assembly of Muses & Poets 

on Mount Parnassus.

Italian Tarot Cards.

Tell me now, Muses / Who live on Olympus - for you are / Goddesses, and are present, / And know all things, while we / Hear only reports and know nothing - "

Iliad 2.522