Marie Antoinette as Erato
by GUTTENBRUNN, Ludwig, Oil on canvas
Erato was one of the nine Muses, the ancient Greek goddesses of music, song and dance. In the Classical era, when the Muses were assigned specific literary and artistic spheres, Erato was named Muse of erotic poetry and mime, and represented with a lyre. Her name means lovely or beloved from the Greek word eratos.