18th century portrait of a lady, said to be Mrs. John Ruscombe of Colne, Lancaster, as the muse Erato This very skilfully painted portrait depicts a lady as the muse Erato, playing the Lyre. Her eyes are filled with emotion and her lips are curved in a soft, delightful smile. Hinting at the love song she is composing? Erato is one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology. She is the muse of lyric poetry, love poetry, and mimicry. Erato is often depicted holding a lyre, symbolizing her association with music and poetry. She inspires poets and writers to create works that celebrate love, beauty, and human emotions. Provenance: Collection of Felix Gouled American Art Association, Anderson Galleries, by 1937 Kende Galleries at Gimbel Brothers, Jay Gould Mansion, New York, sale of April 21st, 1943, lot 60 (sold as Mrs. John Ruscombe of Colne, Lancaster by Angelica Kauffman, R.A. The work was said to be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by W. Roberts Private Collection, Virginia Angelica Kauffman was an 18th-century Swiss Neoclassical painter who achieved significant success and recognition in a male-dominated art world. Born in Switzerland in 1741, she showed exceptional talent from a young age and received formal art training in Italy. Kauffman gained fame for her historical and mythological paintings, as well as her portraits, which were characterized by their grace, elegance, and classical influences. She was a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London and enjoyed patronage from aristocrats and royalty throughout Europe. Kauffman's work contributed to the rise of Neoclassicism and she remains one of the most prominent female artists of her time. Dimensions: Oil on canvas ca. 98 by 77cm and with the frame ca. 118 by 97 cm. Frame is offered as a gift, good condition with repairs. The painting is also in good and stable condition, with inpainting visible under uv-light, mainly in the face. #artmasterpieceQ2