The images of female beauty

Sonnet
So oft have I invoked thee for my Muse
And found such fair assistance in my verse
As every alien pen hath got my use
And under thee their poesy disperse.
Thine eyes that taught the dump on high to sing
And heavy ignorance aloft to fly
Have added feathers to the learned's wing
And given grace a double majesty.
Yet be most proud of that which I compile,
Whose influence is thine and born of thee:
In others' works thou dost but mend the style,
And arts with thy sweet graces graced be;
But thou art all my art and dost advance
As high as learning my rude ignorance.

Portrait of Lydia Delectorskaya
Matisse, Henri
Larger view

A Woman in Blue
Gainsborough, Thomas
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Portrait of a Woman
Cranach, Lucas, I
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Portrait of Josephine
Gerard, Francois
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Girl with a Fan
Renoir, Pierre-Auguste
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Portrait of Anne Dalkeith, Countess of Morton (?) and Anne Kirke, Ladies-in-Waiting to Queen Henrietta Maria
Dyck, Anthony van
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