A Musical Party

Abraham van der Schoor, artist

active 1643–1657

A Musical Party, 1657

Where object was made: Dutch Republic (present-day Netherlands)

Material/technique: canvas; oil

Dimensions:
Canvas/Support (Height x Width x Depth): 102.9 x 135.9 cm
Canvas/Support (Height x Width x Depth): 40 1/2 x 53 1/2 in
Frame Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 50 x 63 1/4 x 3 in

Credit line: Museum purchase: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Slawson

Accession number: 1973.0150

Not on display

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Label texts

Exhibition Label:
"Corpus," Apr-2012, Kris Ercums
Archive Label 1999:
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.

It is difficult to determine the specific circumstances of this music-making scene. The flowers in the hair of the singing figures in front and the flowered wreath over their heads are clues that the subject may be a May Day festival.

It is possible that the figure on the right wearing a white turban is a self-portrait of the artist.