The Muse: more than the myth

To be an artist and to create art, one must be inspired. That's easier said than done when your occupation requires inspiration most of the time. Hence the artist’s 'muse' - a source of fascination for photographers, painters, and designers alike. Due to the nature of the fixation, verging on obsession, these relationships tend to become romantic, or it is the original romance sparks the artistic preoccupation. 

The dynamics of each relationship differ, but the traditional model is quite exploitative. Usually, the artist wields the power as they are in control of the portrayal of their subject; commonly intimate and intrinsic to the reputation of the muse, especially once the work is shared. For many subjects such as Victorine Meurent (Manet), Kiki de Montparnasse (Man-ray), and Dora Maar (Picasso) the muse lacks an identity undefined by the artist and their artworks. Meaning that the representational power of the artist defines the muse, erasing their autonomy. This individuality is further degraded when the work is released from the hands of the artist and into the world where recognition and credit are solely given to the artist. There's an insinuation from the art world that the work is made in a vacuum, and the crucial inspiration is redundant, not meriting sufficient acknowledgment. It is important to mention that these dynamics have historically been, and continue to be, gendered; making the issue of feminist interest as the muse is normally a woman, playing a passive role at the hands of a male artist. 

However, oftentimes artists fall in love with each other and subsequently play both the role of the artist and the muse. Such as Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith who were lifelong lovers, friends, and collaborators. Meeting as penniless artists in 1960s New York, they faced many hardships on the path to fame including homelessness. Robert’s explorative sexuality, and the evolution of their identities is something that is consistently explore in their work. However, as Patti states in her book ‘Just Kids’, she and Robert always dedicated themselves to each other, providing support, inspiration, and artistic critique. Their interchangeable relationship as artist and muse was never exploitative, because they were both working on poems, drawings, and photographs of each other. She sums up their working relationship succinctly ‘I trust in you. I trust in myself' showing the immense faith needed for this dynamic to work. Patti created some of her most moving songs about Robert and the photos of her are some of his best.