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Who is Clio in Johannes Vermeer’s The Art of Painting?
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Johannes Vermeer
Girl with a Pearl Earring, oil on canvas by Johannes Vermeer, c. 1665; in the Mauritshuis, The Hague.
In Johannes Vermeer’s painting The Art of Painting, the figure of Clio is depicted as the muse of history.
She is readily identifiable to viewers through specific symbolic attributes she carries:
* A laurel wreath: Symbolizing honor and glory.12
* A trumpet: Known as the trumpet of fame.12
* A book: Signifying the study and recording of history.12
In the context of the work, Vermeer uses this allegorical figure to suggest that history serves as an inspiration for the artist, providing worthy subject matter and conferring status upon those who depict it. By juxtaposing the muse with a map of the Netherlands, the painting implies that the artist, through his skill and awareness of history, brings lasting fame to his country.12