Muses get bruises

Image by Girl with red hat

Jane Birkin, the namesake of the iconic Hermès Birkin Bag, passed away this year on the 16th of July, sparking renewed interest in the role of the muse in the artistic community. Birkin’s unique style and enigmatic personality earned her the title of a ‘muse’ during the 1960s and 70s after she served as inspiration for the ‘genius’ songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, who was 20 years her senior. The pair were married for twelve years and embarked on many creative endeavours together, with Birkin often acting as the conduit for Gainsbourg’s artistic practice. This is the typical dynamic of the classical muse/artist relationship, where an ethereal, young woman would catch the eye of an (typically older) artistic genius and bestowing upon them divine inspiration. Such relationships have been long been prevalent in the art world, from the nine muses in Greek mythology to figures like Simonetta Vespucci, the noblewoman from 15th century Florence, whose beauty inspired members of the Medici family as well as being the face of Venus in Botticelli’s Birth of Venus.

In 2023, the the concept of the muse is left in an ambiguous position. Certainly, we have moved past the dynamic where a young woman is seemingly exploited by an older man and his genius is praised whilst she remains largely unknown. Today, women are no longer forced to be a conduit for someone else’s genius when they can create their own work. Many feminists and cultural critics claim that the role of the muse is no longer relevant. However, it cannot be denied that muses have served a valuable purpose in the art world. It is perhaps reductive to say that muses are merely helpless and naïve women whose images are exploited. This ignores what the muse brings to the table. Birkin was not just beautiful, but rather had a curated image that embodied and challenged cultural ideals and possessed something intangible that piqued people’s interest throughout her life. In a sense, the muse’s entire existence is their own artwork that they perform. It seems a shame that this niche be forgotten. Perhaps the muse can endure, provided they are protected, and their value is quantified.

However, a significant challenge arises from the inherent indefinable nature of a muse. From a legal and financial standpoint, this puts the muse in a difficult position. How much of the artist’s work are they entitled to? What is the value of their image? Is a muse just a glorified model? The first big public lawsuit which brought up these questions occurred in 2010, where model Ann Kirsten Kennis sued the band Vampire Weekend for unauthorised use of her likeness on the cover of their chart-topping indie album, “Contra”. Kennis, who was in her 50s at the time, was astonished to see her 20-year-old face on the cover of the album her daughter was listening to, without her knowledge or compensation. She took the band to court for $2m in damages and won an undisclosed settlement, suggesting that perhaps the role of the muse can be quantified in monetary terms.

Nevertheless, this remains a contentious grey area in the art world, growing ever more complex. In an era where artificial intelligence can copy anyone’s appearance and anyone can become an Instagram model, what role does the muse have? These concerns are reflected in the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes, with actors and writers in Hollywood striking for contracts that reflect the current threats to their employment. Actors fear losing control of their image or being replaced altogether by digitally generated versions of their image or their voices onscreen. Part of their strike demands include modernising their contracts to protect them from these fast-advancing technologies.

Overall, the position of the muse in 2023 remains ambiguous but it is arguable that it is not entirely obsolete. The muse represents something that is intangible within the art world, a concept that will perhaps always be difficult to fit into the legal or financial framework. However, this does not diminish their value and autonomy. As the potentially outdated concept of a muse tries to find its place in the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary art, challenges and complexities are likely to persist.