Klimt's Allegory "Thaleia and Melpomene"

Klimt had already been occupied with the theme of the Muses in his historicist phase. One example is the free interpretation of the frieze of the Roman sarcophagus of the Muses (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna) in the upper part of the drawing "Allegory of Sculpture".

The current drawing also has a frieze-like format. Otherwise, however, it deviates completely from this historicist example.

In this drawing, Klimt focused on the Muses of Tragedy and Comedy. He placed their heads very close to the edge of the picture and depicted them in symbolically opposing front-facing and profile views.

On the far right is the visage of Melpomene in profile which stares out like a mask. She is an allegory for tragedy, who signals disaster with her brooding gaze and drawn corners of her mouth. Through her straight, dark hair, the vertical hatching of the backdrop with gray nuances appears to continue.

This stylistic device—the "graphic rain" of the late 1890s—brings about the mysterious overall impression of this piece.

Immediately behind Melpomene is the full, smiling face of Thalia, the allegory of comedy. Her broad, curly hair creates a symbolic and also decorative contrast with the dominance of the vertically flowing lines.

Three different masks appear in the background along the top edge of the picture. The mask partially covered by Thalia is only schematically visible and primarily comes into view through her magically glowing eyes.