To S.M., a Young African Painter, on Seeing His Works

Throughout the second stanza, Wheatley uses the motif of the muse to explore Neoclassical ideals and Christian themes. Wheatley’s speaker asks that “the muse inspire each future song” (Line 20). The address to the muse for inspiration is a typical feature of poetry in classical antiquity and was revived by Neoclassical authors. In this way, Wheatley aligns herself with this movement’s beliefs about art, the artist, and fame. Creativity has ancient origins.

Yet the speaker complicates her use of this classical figure that personifies inspiration when she wishes to see “my muse with heav’nly transport glow” (Line 28). The speaker’s inspiration comes from her Christian faith, rather than from a pagan divinity. Once she has been assured of ascent into heaven, neither the artist nor the painter will need access to the classical muse, since all creative drive will now come from a heavenly source.

In the poem, eye imagery is used to embody the speaker’s shift in focus and beliefs. Initially, Morehead’s painting overwhelms the speaker with its skills and beauty: It’s a “new creation rushing on [her] sight” (Line 6) that gives her “soul delight” (Line 5). As a result, the speaker implores the subject to “[o]n deathless glories fix thine ardent view” (Line 8)—he must pursue his creative reputation with all ambition.