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The artistic inspiration for "Ask the Librarian" is Coomans' painting of Aspasia. According to local historian and Gallery Docent, the late Eleanor Hall, Aspasia was a woman who lived in Athens, Greece, 2500 years ago, when Greek art, literature, philosophy and statesmanship were at their highest. She came from Turkey, was the mistress of Pericles and opened their home as a "literary circle," with guests like Plato and Socrates. During that time, when Greek men left their wives "at home" of an evening, she was an influential woman. Pierre Coomans, the French artist, has "caught" Aspasia in a reflective mood, perhaps thinking of the "someone" who has sent her a lovely jewel case. Aspasia is No. 49 in the Art Gallery.