A Musical Party, Abraham van der Schoor (active 1643–1657)

Music-making was a common leisure activity of European peasant and middle classes during the 17th century, and many Dutch painters produced lively scenes of singers and musicians in close-up, half-length compositions. Many Baroque artists painted in a dramatic style, which fell under the influence of theatrical conventions, exemplified in this painting by the curtain swag in the left corner and the dramatic gesture and lighting.