The Duet

Two gentlemen, with a violin and a zither, make music in a room in which other musical instruments are also to be seen. Next to the violinist stands a viola da gamba; a lute and a flute lie on the table. Saftleven also painted various attributes of the artist: a palette and brush lie on the floor, pieces of paper are scattered around and a plaster cast of a nude muscleman stands on the table. This reference is no coincidence. The musicians are, in fact, also painters, for Cornelis Saftleven her portrayed himself and his brother Herman, who was also a painter, making music in brotherly fashion. Harmony plays an important role in both music and painting, and perhaps Saftleven wanted to stress its importance by combining both art forms in one painting.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 18 minutes): Jean-Baptiste Lully: Le bourgeois gentilhomme, suite