In the context of this artwork, discuss the Description of the The Painting.
While most painters of the late 19th century were pursuing more modern subjects, The Sacred Grove is a nod to classical art and makes a direct reference to visions of Hellenistic Greece. Featuring frescoes and soft colours to create a piece that was described by the Japanese Bunkamura Museum as: “evoking a refined, tranquil atmosphere”. Jennifer Shaw, explained the painting as having an open foreground and “protective” background that created a “deep peace of serene solitude”, and “invited viewers to imagine entering the landscape and partaking in the reverie.”The Sacred Grove depicts an “expansive idyllic landscape people by nearly life-sized muses.” It was described by critics as being “like a dream” as it differs from reality so deeply. The painting portrays a mythical forest populated by angels and the muses. Muses Polyhymnia (of rhetoric), Clio (of history) and Calliope (of epic poetry, science and philosophy) are centred in the painting directly in front of the fresco. Thalia (of Comedy and light poetry) and Terpsichore (of dance) are placed in poses of discussion and contemplation farther on the shore. Euterpe (of lyric poetry and music) and Erato (of love songs) are flying above the scene. Finally Melpomene (of song and tragedy) and Urania (of astronomy) are respectively sitting and lying by the river side. A painter's palette, sculptor's hammer and compass can also be seen in the foreground.
Hellenistic Greece Clio Melpomene Muses Thalia Erato muses Polyhymnia Calliope Urania Japan Terpsichore Euterpe