The hidden meanings of the painting by an unknown painter of the Middle Ages: "Musicians"

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

"Musicians" is one of the most famous works of the Master of female half-figures, which hides the hidden secrets of an unknown painter. The depicted notes are especially curious. Who is this mysterious Half-Figure Master? And what is written on the score?

"Musicians" is a painting by a Dutch artist of the 16th century, known under the code name Master of Women's Half-Figures, from the collection of the State Hermitage with copyright replicas from other museums. Also the picture is called "Three girls playing music".

Unknown author

The Female Half-Figure Master is the name given to an artist or group of artists in a workshop in the 16th century. The name was in order to identify the creators of the works of 107 paintings. The master, who worked in the south of the Netherlands or in Antwerp, created female figures in genre scenes, small religious and mythological works, landscapes and portraits. As often happens in such cases, an unnamed artist in art history literature is called some characteristic feature of the paintings that are attributed to him (Master of Playing Cards), or the plot that he portrayed (Master of Flemings), or the initials that he put instead of the full name (Master ES), and so on. The specified master received this name, since in most cases he depicted young women in a half-figured perspective.

The works attributed to the Master of female half-figures were most likely the creations of a large workshop specializing in small canvases depicting aristocratic young ladies. The ladies in the paintings are involved in various subjects such as reading, writing, or playing musical instruments. All women have the same heart-shaped face and the same angle. The expressions and gestures of the female figures are characterized by grace. The master clearly expresses in his works the high artistic and moral humanistic values of the Northern Renaissance. The interior in the paintings, as a rule, has wood paneling or a neutral background. The most famous works of the artist are the paintings "Madonna and Child" and "Musicians" (or "Three girls playing music").

"Madonna and Child" is in the Hermitage collection. Do not be an exaggeration to call this work the best in the work of an unknown master. The painting depicts a fairly standard plot for the 16th century: the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus. The Virgin Mary examines the book, while Jesus examines the vine. The landscape in the background is reminiscent of the work of Joachim Patinir. The symbolism of the canvas is very interesting: grapes are a symbol of Christianity and communion, and in the hands of the Infant - a symbol of the impending sacrificial death. Cherry is an attribute of good intentions and the acquisition of heavenly paradise. Accordingly, together they symbolize the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The second most famous work of the Master - "Musicians" - one of the most characteristic works of the Master of female half-figures. The work has several variants, of which the best is in the Harrach collection (Rorau Castle near Vienna, Austria).

The plot of the picture

The girls playing music are graceful and elegant: the image of girls, their thin aristocratic fingers, an expensive outfit corresponding to the latest fashion of that time and complemented by expensive jewelry. The delightfully selected color scheme is in harmony with the plot: the palette is not flashy, mostly beige and brown, a warm, cozy room somewhat diluted with blue light penetrating through the latticed windows.

Music book

As it was proved by researchers, the opened music book contains a real-life aria in French: this is the music of Clauden de Sermisy and the poems of Clement Marot, published in Paris in 1529. The text reads:

Yes, the poems are in perfect harmony with the subtle plot and image of the heroines. Soviet and Russian musician A. E. Maikapar studied the musical notation in the painting and came to the conclusion that the singer on the left sings the soprano part, the flutist in the center plays the tenor part, and the lute player on the right accompanies from memory, without looking at the notes. Her modest and gentle gaze is directed directly at the viewer.

The painting was painted after 1529 either by the unknown Master himself or by his student. The history of the painting is also unknown; it entered the Hermitage between 1763 and 1773 from an unknown source. Although some works have been tried to qualify as works by Jean Clouet and Hans Verejk, attempts have been unsuccessful. The real name of the Master is still a mystery.

Anyone interested in art will be interested to know who the Nazarenes are and why they were considered the most mysterious movement of artists in the name of spirituality.