Erato

by Thomas Jefferys

This beautiful copperplate engraving from the eighteenth century represents Erato, who was one of the nine Muses in ancient Greek mythology, representing lyric poetry. Her portrayal as having been posed gracefully represents her usual depiction as carrying a lyre or kithara.

This copperplate demonstrates excellent attention to detail in line and drapery typical for engravings produced by Thomas Jefferys for his series of illustrations depicting costumes from around the world in the mid-eighteenth century.