«Woman with a Lyre. Allegory of Music». 1820s. Unknown Artist. Plaster. Dimensions: 80×48 cm. Tactile Model. Plastic.
A rectangular slab with uneven edges bears a relief depiction of a young woman playing a lyre. The figure is shown in profile. Her head is slightly tilted downward, with her hair gathered in a style at the back of her head. With her left hand, she supports the lyre, while her right hand appears to glide over the strings. A long, flowing dress envelops her figure, its numerous folds emphasizing movement. A scarf billowing from her waist forms an oval loop above her head. The woman’s bare feet step in an elegant stride, as if she were floating in the air.
This relief is a pair to the «Allegory of Dance,» hence sharing similar dimensions. The depiction of the lyre is symbolic—the woman playing the lyre represents Music itself. The lyre, a musical instrument, was played by Apollo, the god of the arts, according to ancient Greek myths.
Reliefs with such themes adorned both music salons and concert halls, contributing to an atmosphere of elevated classical art. It must be acknowledged that they fulfilled this role admirably.
by Irina Savenko