Muse (person)
A muse is a person who provides creative inspiration to a person of the arts. In the course of history, these have usually been women. The term is derived from the Muses, ancient Greek goddesses of inspiration.
Human muses are woven throughout history. In modern times, specific people are called muses; as a rule, these are close friends and sometimes lovers or spouses, who inspire or affect the works of an artist due to their disposition, charisma, wisdom, sophistication, eroticism, intimate friendship, or other traits. Sometimes muses directly provide models for specific paintings and sculptures and for characters in literary works, but sometimes not, rather providing inspiration for the artist's work as a whole.
Muses are distinct from persons who may organize, teach, befriend, marry or support artists without providing inspiration for their works. Persons who serve only as models for paintings or sculptures are not necessarily muses.
Modern muses who have left a noticeable mark on the history of culture include Varvara Bakhmeteva, Elizabeth Siddal, Camille Claudel, Leila Waddell, Gala, Dora Maar, Aline Bernstein, Yoko Ono, Pattie Boyd, Uma Thurman, Annabelle Neilson, Victorine Meurent and Méry Laurent, and many others. Muses are sometimes artists in their own right.