In Greek mythology, Muse referred to any one of the nine daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus, each of whom presided over a different art or science. Muse in modern day terms refers to a guiding spirit or a source of inspiration.
According to psychologist Carl Jung, the Muse represents the male's anima: "immortal," she is "disguised under the many names we give to creative impulses and ideas."
Some muses are erotic wives and lovers, while others are chaste and unattainable, some solely devoted to the artistic expression of a single artist, others are serial Muses, facilitating the artistic work of many.
Many artists, writers, poets and musicians have said that their creative work has been inspired by an individual whom they refer to as their muse. Someone who has such influence on another that he or she becomes the focus and inspiration for that person's creative work.
Norman Parkinson was a British-born star photographer at British Vogue and spent several months of each year working for the American edition. He first met Wenda Rogerson, when she was appearing as a young actress at The Arts Theatre Club. Several of the underpaid acresses supplemented their salaries through occasional fashion modelling. Parkinson was alerted to her beauty and photogenic qualities by Cecil Beaton who had worked with her on one of his settings.
Wenda Parkinson
Wenda married Parkinson in 1947. As well as remaining his muse, lifetime companion and home-maker for their homes in Twickenham and Trinidad, Wenda researched and published an important biography of Toussaint L'Ouverture the Haitian slave-turned-revolutionary, entitled 'This Gilded African 'in 1978.
Parkinson also photographed many of the greatest icons of the twentieth century, as well as some of the world's most beautiful women, incuding Audrey Hepburn and famous fashion models such as Jerry Hall.
Wenda Parkinson died at the age of 60 in London, a few days after Norman Parkinson.
"I just loved the way girls would show their personalities by the way they dressed." - Norman Parkinson
In the 1970's David Bailey published his "Trouble and Strife" book. His model, muse and wife was Marie Helvin, and she inspired this collection of sensual portraits (nude and semi naked) which depicted their professional and private life together.
Kate Moss
Over the last two decadeds Mario Testino has photographed his muse and friend, Kate Moss, for many fashion houses and front covers. Testino was drawn to her by her beauty and spirit. He recently published a collection of his private photos of her as homage. His style of photographic intimacy has produced many fashionably sensual photos.
