French School (19th Century)

Commonly regarded as one of the greatest lyric poets of Antiquity, Sappho was born on the island of Lesbos sometime between 630 BC and 612 BC. Her death is commonly placed around 570 BC. Her works were greatly admired during her own time, and although the bulk of it has now been lost, Sappho's poetry continues to be of major importance.
In the present work the poetess is shown with Ariadne, who acts as a muse. Sappho looks up towards the sky in search for inspiration, while Ariadne embraces her.