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The Singer and the Lute Player

A work made of engraving in black on tan laid paper.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of engraving in black on tan laid paper.

Date:

c. 1495

Artist:

Israhel van Meckenem the Younger
German, c. 1440/45-1503

About this artwork

This engraving by Israhel van Meckenem is from a series of 12 prints that depicts amorous couples in elaborately furnished interiors. Its suggestive scene depicts a young couple eagerly anticipating a liaison—musical or otherwise. In his lap, the man holds a lute, an instrument frequently likened to the female body, and he stares intently at his companion, who pauses in reading her musical scroll to return his gaze. The small dog in chains near his feet is meant to symbolize the captivating power of music and beautiful women.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Israhel van Meckenem, the younger

Title

The Singer and the Lute Player

Place

Germany (Artist's nationality)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1490–1500

Medium

Engraving in black on tan laid paper

Dimensions

15.5 × 10.7 cm (6 1/8 × 4 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr.

Reference Number

1956.851

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/3805/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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