The Muses of comedy and tragedy (Kärntnertortheater – design for a theatre curtain)

In the shaded area (bottom left) of Heinrich Friedrich Füger’s study for a curtain in Vienna’s Kärntnertortheater, a poet holding a writing tablet evokes the Muses. Surrounded by other figures, he looks up towards a young woman hovering above an impenetrable cloud. Behind her is a small temple in a concave colonnade. A crown is reached out to her from below. The approach of the woman as the cloud clears, the bright light and the word “Veritati” in the tympanum of the temple bear witness to the greatness of the poet’s work, exalted by the Muse of Tragedy. The Muse of Comedy is shown as a putto at the right-hand edge of the picture.

HABERSATTER Thomas: Heinrich Friedrich Füger, The Muses of comedy and tragedy, object description for the exhibition "Der Kuss der Musen. Festspiele göttlicher Inspiration" (20.2.2020-10.1.2021 planned, extended due Covid 19 until 11.7.2021)
Translation: Gail Schamberger MA, Salzburg