VIEWS FROM THE BENCH
THE 9 MUSES COURTYARD
by Florence W Deems
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"The Nine Muses" by Carlos Dorrien, are larger than life-size sculptures mounted around a 20 x 30 ft platform at one end of a courtyard surrounded by columnar arborvitae. This platform is composed of large granite slabs put together in some sort of a puzzle pattern. A narrow water moat in which tropical waterlilies bloom in the summer surrounds this platform. On the platform, near the tallest muse (11 ft tall) is a small and simple rectangular labyrinth. Next to this is the map showing the placement of the muses. But they are not named. Instead, they are indicated by numerals. I don't know whether this numbering system applies to the muses alphabetically.
Here are the nine muses listed alphabetically by their Greek names:
1. Calliope - Eloquence, Epic/Heroic Poetry - emblems: stylus, wax tablets
2. Clio - Historical & Heroic Poetry - emblems: parchment scrolls or set of tablets
3. Erato - Lyric Poetry: Love, Erotic, Mimicry - emblems: lyre
4. Euterpe - Music, Lyric Poetry, Joy, Pleasure, Flute Playing - emblem: double flute
5. Melpomene - Tragedy - emblems: tragic mask and boots; sometimes knife/club in one hand; mask in other hand
6. Polyhymnia - Sacred Hymns, Eloquence, Dance - emblems: long cloak, elbow on pillar; sometimes finger in mouth
7. Terpsichore - Dance, Dramatic Chorus; later Lyric Poetry, then Flute Playing - emblems: usually seated with lyre
8. Thalia - Comedy, Pastoral Poetry - emblems: comic mask and shepherd's crook
9. Urania - Astronomy, Astrology - emblems: globe in left hand, a peg in right hand; cloak with stars
Below are some of the many images I've made of this fantastic sculpture. Since there are several benches and chairs around this courtyard, I have lumped them all together, for simplicity's sake. Please check back after a while, as I plan to add more images.
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