ArtsVisual ArtsHistorySociety & Culture

ArtMuse

Grace Anna

ArtMuse is a podcast that shares the life stories of the women pictured in famous works of art. In doing so, host Grace Anna aims to reshape the ways in which we interpret these well-known works, by paying dues to the women whose images have been immortalized but whose names and stories have been wrongfully overlooked. Each episode focuses our attention on a specific female muse, sharing their important life and legacy.

ArtMuse is produced by Kula Production Company.

Play

Open in

26 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 1 hr 5 min
English

Episodes 26

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

#49
October 16 · 1 hr 15 min
Fanny Kemble Part Two
In Part One we explored Fanny’s childhood: her time away at boarding schools in France, her passion for literature and writing, and her early intellectual pursuits. We then explored Fanny’s debut as Juliet at Covent Garden, how she catapulted into stardom overnight and helped save her family from financial ruin, and finally, her decision to tour America with her father. We left things off in our story just after Fanny’s successful run in New York, where she dazzled American audiences with her br
#49
October 2 · 59 min
Fanny Kemble Part One
Listen to ArtMuse's episode on the English actress, author, and abolitionist, Fanny Kemble. Fanny was born into one of the most famous acting families in England but her destiny was not on the stage. Though she did premiere at Covent Garden at the age of nineteen to help save her family’s theater from ruin, her heart belonged elsewhere. From an early age, Fanny was drawn to the world of literature and dreamed of one day becoming a writer. When she married a wealthy American man at the age twenty
#48
September 25 · 1 hr 19 min
Re-Release Emma Hamilton Part Two
ArtMuse is re-releasing ArtMuse’s two part episode on the artist’s model, avant-garde performance artist, and political advocate, Lady Emma Hamilton. Emma Hamilton rose from rags to riches to become one of Europe’s first female celebrities. Born into poverty, Emma worked her way from maid, to courtesan, to artist model, and eventually to the wife of the British Ambassador to Naples. And perhaps most famously, Emma later became the lover of the famed Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. Emma was also the
#48
September 18 · 1 hr 5 min
Re-Release Emma Hamilton Part One
ArtMuse is re-releasing ArtMuse’s two part episode on the artist’s model, avant-garde performance artist, and political advocate, Lady Emma Hamilton. Emma Hamilton rose from rags to riches to become one of Europe’s first female celebrities. Born into poverty, Emma worked her way from maid, to courtesan, to artist model, and eventually to the wife of the British Ambassador to Naples. And perhaps most famously, Emma later became the lover of the famed Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. Emma was also the
#46
September 4 · 1 hr 4 min
Sarah Siddons Part Two
In Part One we explored Sarah’s childhood, her early days as a performer, and her marriage to fellow actor William Siddons. We then explored Sarah’s discovery by David Garrick, her disastrous first season in London, and her eventual success in Bath. We left things in our story after Sarah’s triumphant return to London, which turned her into an overnight sensation and catapulted her into stardom. In Part Two, we honor Sarah as the immensely talented actress she was, as the brilliant marketer who
#46
August 21 · 55 min
Sarah Siddons Part One
Listen to Part One of ArtMuse's episode on the famed English tragic actress and muse, Sarah Siddons. She was the most famous tragic actress of the Georgian age, with performances so powerful that several members of her audience fainted with fear. Over her forty-year long career she captured the hearts of all of England, including the King and Queen, who welcomed her into their Royal court. She was painted by some of the greatest masters of art history, including Sir Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gains
#45
August 7 · 1 hr 10 min
Re-Release Kiki de Montparnasse Part One
We will be releasing a two part episode on the famed tragic actress and muse Sarah Siddons On August 21, 2026. In the meantime, we are re-releasing ArtMuse’s episode on the performer, painter, artist’s model, and Queen of Montparnasse, Alice Prin, better known as Kiki de Montparnasse. In this episode, we aim to honor Kiki as the independent and free-spirited woman she was; a woman who was never afraid to live her life as she pleased and dance to the beat of her own drum, a woman who not only und
#44
July 24 · 1 hr 10 min
Sada Yacco Part Two
In Part One we explored Sada’s childhood; how at the age of four she was sent to a geisha house, where she was later adopted by the proprietress and trained to be a geisha. We then explored Sada’s rise as one of the most famous geisha of Tokyo, her relationship with Prime Minister Ito, and her eventual marriage to kabuki star Otojiro Kawakami. In Part Two we finish Sada's story and honor Sada as the remarkable woman she was. From her days as a famous geisha who caught the attention of Japan’s mo
#44
July 10 · 1 hr 2 min
Sada Yacco Part One
This episode explores the life of the Japanese geisha, actress, dancer, and fashion icon Sada Yacco. When she first arrived in Paris at the turn of the twentieth century, she sent the entire city abuzz with excitement. Appearing like an apparition from a fantastical dream, she introduced Western audiences to Japanese theater and culture, eventually becoming Japan’s first international female celebrity. Picasso immortalized her on paper, Alfredo Müller printed her on poster, and Guerlain released
#44
June 26 · 20 min
Special Episode: History Daily Podcast, "The Feminine Mystique"
We are sharing a special episode from our friends at the podcast History Daily, which releases daily episodes on interesting historical events that happened on that day. In this episode, host Lindsay Graham discusses Betty Friedan’s seminal work "The Feminist Mystique", published on February 19th, 1963. "The Feminist Mystique", which spoke to widespread discontent amongst American women confined to the domestic sphere, kickstarted the second-wave feminist movement. After conducting her own exten
#43
June 12 · 57 min
Charlotte Cushman Part Two
In Part One we explored Charlotte’s childhood; her father’s abandonment, the family’s subsequent descent into poverty, and Charlotte’s early ambitions to become a singer. We then explored Charlotte’s breakout performance as Lady Macbeth, her subsequent success in New New York City, Albany, and Philadelphia, and her decision to move to London to further her career. In Part Two we finish Charlotte's story and aim to honor her as the incredible actress she was, who dazzled audiences across the West
#43
May 29 · 54 min
Charlotte Cushman Part One
Listen to ArtMuse's episode on the revolutionary actress, proud lesbian, savvy business woman, staunch feminist, and force to be reckoned with, Charlotte Cushman. Though Charlotte Cushman was one of the most famous actresses of the 19th century and a household name during her lifetime, she has since been unfairly written out of history. Charlotte deserves to be recognized not only for her impressive career on the stage, but as a remarkable woman in her own right. In this episode, we aim to honor
#42
May 15 · 1 hr 30 min
Vulgar History: Mary Queen of Scots Part One
Today we are sharing a special episode from our friends at Vulgar History, a podcast that looks at history through a feminist lens. In this episode, host Ann Foster introduces us to Mary Queen of Scots, Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567. Mary became Queen when she was only six days old and had one of the most tumultuous political reins in history, and her life story is certainly a wild ride. She was married three times, briefly became the Queen of France, became the enemy of Queen Elizabeth I,
#41
May 1 · 54 min
Stars of the Golden Age: Audrey Hepburn
ArtMuse shares a special episode from “The Stars of the Golden Age”, a podcast that dives into the lives of your favorite Old Hollywood stars. In this episode, host Erin Carlson shares the incredible life story of the actress, fashion icon, and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. From Audrey’s beginnings in Belgium, to her work with the resistance in World War II, to her discovery by director William Wyler who cast her in Roman Holiday and catapulted her into stardom, and finally, to her incredible wor
#40
April 24 · 1 hr 17 min
Evelyn Nesbit Part Three
In Part Two we shared the harrowing details of White’s assault on Evelyn, taking not only her virginity but also her childhood innocence and joy of life. We then explored Evelyn’s introduction to multi-millionaire Harry Thaw, how he slowly earned Evelyn’s trust, and then proceeded to violently both physically and sexually assault her. In Part Three we finish Evelyn's shocking story, including the murder of Stanford White and the subsequent trial that followed. Evelyn was so much more than the sc
#40
April 3 · 1 hr 8 min
Evelyn Nesbit Part Two
In Part One we explored Evelyn’s childhood, her chance discovery by an artist in Philadelphia, her rise in popularity as an artist’s model, her move to New York City, and how quickly she took the city by storm, becoming Gotham’s “it girl”. We then explored Evelyn’s beginnings on Broadway, how she caught the attention of famed architect Stanford White, and his ensuing calculated grooming of Evelyn. In Part two we continue Evelyn's shocking story; White's brutal assault on her, her romantic affair
#40
March 20 · 59 min
Evelyn Nesbit Part One
Listen to ArtMuse’s Two Part Episode on the artist’s model, chorus girl, actress, and bewitching beauty, Evelyn Nesbit, who was caught up in one of the most notorious murders in American history.
#38
March 6 · 1 hr 13 min
Loïe Fuller Part Two
In Part One, we explored Loïe's upbringing in Chicago, her devastating marriage to Colonel William Hayes, and her eventual rise to fame in the American theater world. We then explored the creation of Loïe’s Serpentine Dance, her move to Paris where she became a sensation, and her ingenious use of lighting and costume in her performances. In Part Two we finish Loïe's incredible life story and aim to honor her immense legacy as an avant-garde dancer, innovative inventor, champion of the arts, insp
#38
February 13 · 1 hr 4 min
Loïe Fuller Part One
Part One of ArtMuse's Two Part Episode on the dancer, innovator, and visionary, Loïe Fuller. Loïe’s pioneering performances paved the way for the creation of modern dance, and inspired celebrated dancers such as Isadora Duncan and Josephine Baker. Loïe’s enchanting performances also caught the attention of some of the greatest artists of her time. More than seventy different artists captured her likeness across the mediums, making Loïe one of the most frequently depicted women of her time. Thoug
#37
January 30 · 1 hr 17 min
Sarah Bernhardt Part Two
In Part Two of ArtMuse's Episode on the famed actress Sarah Bernhardt, we finish Sarah's incredible life story, and honor Sarah’s legacy as one of the greatest actresses to ever light up the stage, as an accomplished sculptor whose work received international acclaim, as a best-selling author of many books, as an entrepreneur who ran her own theater for over twenty-five years, as a die hard patriot for her country, as a devoted and loving mother, and as one of the fiercest spirits to ever walk

Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes