The Nine Living Muses of Great Britain

This group portrait, painted by Richard Samuel in 1778, depicts nine women who were members of an English social circle of highly educated men and women known as the Bluestockings. They are depicted as ancient muses in the Temple of Apollo, some sitting at an easel, some playing music, and some admiring statuary. The group was well-known in its time for its acknowledgement that women could have a refined understanding of literature and art.