Summary
From the Pre-Raphaelites to Picasso, Vermeer to Freud, some of the most famous Western artwork involves an artist’s muse. So who are the muses who have inspired great art? How do they embody an artist’s vision? And why has the muse artist relationship led to abuse of power? Nuala speaks to art historian and author Ruth Millington and to writer, curator and podcaster Alayo Akinkugbe.
Penelope Tree was one of the most famous models of the 1960s and the muse of her then boyfriend, the photographer David Bailey. Despite appearing on the cover of Vogue and being credited by Bailey with kick-starting the flower-power movement, Penelope’s life became increasingly difficult as their relationship began to flounder. These events have inspired Penelope’s loosely biographical novel Piece of My Heart and she joins Nuala to discuss her depiction of life as a ‘60s muse.
In ancient Greek mythology, the nine muses are the inspirational goddesses of the arts, science and literature. So who are the nine muses? Nuala speaks to classicist Professor Edith Hall.
Dora Maar was as a photographer, painter and poet but is probably most famous as Pablo Picasso’s lover and muse. Author Louisa Treger captures the complexity of this artist and muse relationship in her novel The Paris Muse and joins Nuala to discuss how the inspiration Dora offered Picasso nearly destroyed her.
We hear from Liza Lim, a Melbourne-based composer who collaborated with violinist and researcher Karin Hellqvist on a composition called ‘One and the Other (speculative Polskas for Karin)’, exploring Karin’s relationship to her heritage and Swedish musical traditions.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Laura Northedge Editor: Deiniol Buxton
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix, the Science of |
| 0:07.0 | Happiness Podcast. |
| 0:08.0 | For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want |
| 0:14.4 | to share that science with you. |
| 0:16.1 | And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley. |
| 0:19.4 | I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that |
| 0:25.4 | calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:30.3 | BBC Sounds, music, radio podcasts. |
| 0:36.0 | Hello, this is Nula McGovran and you're listening to the Women's Hour podcast. |
| 0:41.0 | Today, a special program on Muses. What do you think of when I say the word |
| 0:45.5 | muse? Are you thinking about Greek mythology or about someone usually a woman |
| 0:51.8 | who inspires creativity in the artist, often a man. |
| 0:56.7 | It is a term that some call outdated. It's also a term that others want to reclaim. |
| 1:03.0 | We're going to hear from Penelope Tree, who was called the photographer David Bailey's |
| 1:06.7 | muse, until she wasn't. |
| 1:08.7 | We're going to hear what that was like. |
| 1:10.1 | Also, we'll take a closer look at Dora Mar, one of Pablo Picasso's muses, |
| 1:14.5 | but that role eclipsed at times so much of her own creativity. |
| 1:18.5 | And why has a power imbalance often been inherent between the artist and the muse? |
| 1:25.0 | Well, we're going to hear more about the history and the future of this controversial concept, |
| 1:29.2 | including from women who have made each other their musical muse. |
| 1:34.0 | This is a recorded program, so I can't read your messages today, |
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