Landscape with the Contest between the Muses and the Pierides
by UDEN, Lucas van, Oil on canvas, 82 x 119 cm
The literary source for the contest between the Muses and the Pierides was Ovid’s Metamorphoses, V, 294-678. The nine daughters of Pierus, King of Emathia, overconfident of their musical talent, challenged the Muses to a singing contest. After all had performed, the adjudicating nymphs declared the Muses the winners. The Pierides unwisely clamoured against their decision, and as punishment for their presumption and rudeness were transformed into magpies.