“Angel lutenist”, Toledo Cathedral, Capilla Mayor, part of the altarpiece.
(1502) - Toledo Cathedral, Capilla Mayor.
instrument: lute | century: 16cent | catalogue nº: 16-100b
Artwork
Creator Sebastián Almonacid, Diego Copín de Holanda, Cristiano de Holanda and Felipe Vigarny
Medium Artwork: Sculpture
Location
City Toledo | Region Castilla-La Mancha | Old kingdom Castile
Characteristics
| Body Lute | Strings 5 strings | Neck Medium | Pegbox Angled flat |
| Bridge Not visible | Frets Yes | Back Vaulted | Pegs Rear |
| Technique Plucked fingers |
Commentary
ARTWORK
Sculpture of an angel playing the vihuela. Part of the “Madonna and Child” [La Virgen con el Niño] in the centre of the altarpiece of the Capilla Mayor, Toledo Cathedral, This figure stands on the right of the virgin (on the virgin’s left). On the other side of the virgin is another angel playing a vihuela (16-100a). More about the artwork ➞16-100.
INSTRUMENT
Lute in traditional Europaean style. Depicted with 5 strings, plucked with the fingers. Much of the body is obscured. The neck is quite long, ending in a pegbox of widening towards the end, in the style of an 18th-century guitar. The most recent photos suggest that the neck is broken.
Alvarez describes it as a: Laud clasico europeo con cinco cuerdas, seis trastes y diez clavijas. Lo pulsa un angel con los dedos (alvarez1892, 683).