Square Peg inspired by Millington's Muse

Square Peg has acquired art historian Ruth Millington's Muse, which will explore and interview the artists and muses behind some of the most famous pieces of art. 

Mireille Harper, commissioning editor, bought world all languages rights directly from the author. Muse will be published on 7th April 2022. 

Featuring original artwork from Dina Razin, Muse will use examples from the ancient world to the present day, telling the true stories of the muses who have inspired art history's masterpieces. From Leonardo da Vinci's studio to the covers of Vogue, Millington will uncover the role of muses and delve into the real-life relationships that models have held with the artists who immortalised them. 

Harper said: "I have long been an admirer of Ruth Millington’s writing on women in art. In this powerful book, the art historian, critic and writer seeks to subvert the limited notions of what muses are ‘supposed’ to look like and deconstructs these reductive stereotypes, reframing muses as momentous and empowered agents of art history. From job centre supervisors to modern-day icons such as Grace Jones, Tilda Swinton and Beyoncé, Muse will speak to readers who love art, history and culture, but most of all, those who love learning and recognise the power in discovering these brilliant figures and the enormous contributions they have made, not only to how we view art, but also how we observe the world."

Millington commented: "I am so excited that my first book will be published by Square Peg/Vintage! For too long imbalanced narratives have created romanticised notions of the passive, powerless female muse. This book questions such stereotypes, and instead celebrates those remarkable individuals whose immense contributions have changed art history, from the Renaissance to today. It’s an absolute honour to collaborate on this book with an editor as wonderful as Mireille Harper, the team at Vintage and artist Dina Razin, who is bringing Muse to life with her inspiring illustrations."

Razin added: "My collaboration with Square Peg/Vintage as the illustrator for Muse, written beautifully by the wonderful author, Ruth Millington, has been a dream creative journey. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with the amazing editor, Mireille Harper, and the team at Vintage whose support has been incredible."