Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years in the context of "Muse (source of inspiration)"

A muse is a person who provides creative inspiration to a person of the arts (such as a writer, artist, composer, and so on). In the course of history, these have usually (but not necessarily) been women. The term is derived from the Muses, ancient Greek goddesses of inspiration.

Human muses are woven throughout history. In modern times, specific people are called muses; as a rule, these are close friends and sometimes lovers or spouses, who inspire or affect the works of an artist due to their disposition, charisma, wisdom, sophistication, eroticism, intimate friendship, or other traits. Sometimes muses directly provide models for specific paintings and sculptures and for characters in literary works, but sometimes not, rather providing inspiration for the artist's work as a whole.