Thalia (comedy, pastoral poetry) (from the Tarocchi series D: Apollo and the Muses, #16), 1457

In greek mythology, the muses were goddesses who presided over different branches of the arts and sciences. They were the nine daughters of zeus, king of the gods, and mnemosyne, the goddess of memory. Apollo, the god of light, music, prophecy, and poetry was their leader. Date: 1457. Place of creation: Italy, Ferrara, 15th century. Medium: engraving hand-colored with gold. Collection: Cleveland Museum of Art.