MASTER of Female Half-lengths
(active 1530-1540 in Antwerp)

Concert of Women

1530-40
Oil on panel, 53 x 37 cm
The Hermitage, St. Petersburg

This master was a Netherlandish artist who often painted young girls playing musical instruments or reading. His graceful, rather mannered style is close to that of Massys.

The present scene depicting ladies making music - a kind of love allegory - includes the score of a chanson by Claudin de Sermissy (1490-1562), who composed music at the French court.