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Portfolios%3D%222070%22%20and%20Sort_Artist%3D%22Strozzi,%20Bernardo%22
Painting
Two Musicians
Bernardo Strozzi, (Genoa, 1581 - 1644, Venice)
Strozzi, Bernardo
Italy
1581 - 1644
Male
45 5/8 x 47 7/8 in. (115.9 x 121.6 cm)
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Oil
Oil
1630-1635
1630
1635
1600-1800, 17th century, musical instruments (depictions), musicians, paintings
Painting
This scene of a middle-aged lute player and young violinist illustrates many qualities of Baroque art. Both musicians look directly out from the painting, their eye contact and lively expressions establishing a sympathetic psychological relationship with their audience. A parapet that separates performer from spectator links imaginary and actual space; dramatic lighting, naturalistic details and richly saturated colors all merge to intensify the viewer’s visual experience.
The meaning of Two Musicians leaves much to the imagination. The two figures here could suggest a contrast between naïve youth and experienced age; the violin and the lute both refer to ideas of balance and harmony. Concert scenes sometimes symbolize the sense of hearing or the idea of harmony and love. Whatever the interpretation, these paintings of concerts were, like the music they represent, extremely popular with their public during the Baroque period.
As a young man, Strozzi entered a monastery where he painted religious subjects. After his father’s death, he was allowed to leave the monastery to support his mother; he refused, though, to return after she died and was forced to flee his native Genoa. In 1631, he settled in Venice, where he became a Roman Catholic prelate, or church official. He enjoyed continuous success as a painter for the rest of his life.
[Gallery label text]
back of stretcher, Presumably MAG incoming receipt number?back of stretcherback of stretcher, Circular stamp, stamped twice: Swiss export stamp.back of stretcherback of stretcher, On crossbar of stretcher
1953.8
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Memorial Art Gallery
1/22/2001
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